Aspen-spruce in Fort Nelson


	Kabzems, Richard D., and García, Oscar. *Structure and dynamics of trembling aspen - white spruce mixed stands near Fort Nelson, B.C.* Canadian Journal of Forest Research 34(2), 384-395. 2004. Journal link

Two kinds of stands:

(1) Stratified, with aspen dominant and spruce underneath.


	Example. Total and crown-base heights (vertical lines show extent of the crown). DBH = diameter at breast height.


(2) Co-dominant, with aspen and spruce sharing the upper canopy.


	Example.

5 stands studied, 3 stratified and 2 co-dominant.

Conventional wisdom would suggest that these represent different succesional stages: the spruce catches up with the aspen, and eventually replaces it.


	Not true! Reconstruction of past growth from growth ring measurements showed that stratified stands originated from a delay in spruce regeneration. And it does not look like it is going to catch-up anytime soon.


And co-dominant stands have always been (sort of) co-dominant.


	The 5 stands looked at. Is this peculiar to Northern BC?

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