On Mon, 24 Apr 1995, Mike Sonntag wrote about trees perhaps liking to be in forests, and the possible implications for modelling. Mike, There is quite a lot of evidence that juvenile tree height growth has been positively correlated with stocking within certain limits. Until we understand the mechanism, we could ascribe this either to positive effects, such as shelter, or to responses to potential competition (it is often observed before stocking affects diameter growth) which divert carbon from some other plant part (roots, leaves?). An interesting question is, "How do young trees at wide spacings detect one another?". Shelter and red/far red light ratio have both been mooted, but I haven't seen any research on the topic. Regards, Euan ================================================================== Dr Euan G. Mason Silviculture, Modelling and Lecturer in Silviculture Decision-support systems School of Forestry University of Canterbury New Zealand's professional Christchurch, New Zealand Forestry School ==================================================================
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