Canadian Forest Service Publications
Productivity of black spruce and Jack pine stands in Quebec as related to climate, site biological features and soil properties. 2004. Hamel, B.; Bélanger, N.; Paré, D. For. Ecol. Manage. 191: 239-251.
Year: 2004
Issued by: Laurentian Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 24880
Language: English
Availability: PDF (request by e-mail)
Abstract
The relationships between site quality indices (SQI) (estimated height at age 50) of black spruce and Jack pine and site characteristics were investigated over a large territory in the boreal forest of Quebec. The relationships with degree-days (DD) and parent material, which are considered as permanent site factors, were significant for both species. Linear regressions with these two parameters as independent variables explained about 40% of the variability in site quality indices for black spruce and Jack pine. The addition of soil chemistry and biological data to this model indicated a significant contribution of exchangeable Mg concentrations or Al:CEC molar ratios in the forest floor and lichen cover to the prediction of site quality indices. Inclusion of these variables increased the model R2 up to 60% for both species. Whether these variables reflect permanent site conditions or conditions related to the history of the sites is unknown.