effect of tree species diversity on species growth rate in the saskatchewan boreal forest
abstract
diverse ecosystems are crucial to combating climate change. this study aims to examine
the impacts of tree species diversity on growth rate of seven boreal tree species. data from
permanent sample plots located in the boreal plains ecozone of saskatchewan will be used.
species in these plots include white spruce (picea glauca), black spruce (picea mariana), balsam
fir (abies balsamea), trembling aspen (populus tremuloides), white birch (betula papyrifera),
balsam poplar (populus balsamifera) and jack pine (pinus banksiana). jack pine was the only
species to have growth rates respond positively to species diversity, with black spruce and
balsam fir being negatively impacted by diversity. trembling aspen, white birch, balsam poplar
and white spruce showed no significant growth response to diversity. these findings highlight
the importance of considering species specific growth responses to diversity when managing
boreal forest stands.
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