The Development of Mixed Species Plantations as Successional Analogues to Natural Forest
Moist temperate and tropical forests often regenerate after disturbance regimes (hurricanes, tree falls, pathogens) that promote allogenic processes (initial floristics) of stand development. Disturbance regimes that are more lethal to advance regeneration, such as land clearance for agriculture and subsequent abandonment, promote autogenic processes (relay floristics) of stand development. We propose models for development of mixed plantations that reflect these successional patterns. Initial findings from experiments adopting guidelines that carefully consider the spatial arrangement and timing of mixed plantings can promote the inclusion of late-successional canopy timber species with subcanopy species that provide non-timber forest products (latex, spices, medicinal herbs, fruits). Past experiments have demonstrated poor establishment of subcanopy and late-seral tree species when planted as a single species in open conditions.
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Author(s): P. Mark S. Ashton, Mark J. Ducey
Publication: National Nursery Proceedings - 1996
Event:
Northeastern Forest Nursery Association Conference
1996 - New England, CT
