Pine Growth-Rate Changes in the Southeast: A Summary of Key Issues for Forest Managers

Publisher： Society of American Foresters

ISSN： 0148-4419

Source： Southern Journal of Applied Forestry, Vol.12, Iss.2, 1988-05, pp. : 84-89

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Abstract

Forest inventory data collected by the USDA Forest Service shows that pine forests in the Southeast have changed in many ways since the 1950s. The average age and density of natural stands has increased substantially over the past 30 years, perhaps reflecting the maturation of a large number of stands established between 1945 and 1965. Growth rates of some classes of trees and stands have decreased, but it is not known whether increases in age and density are largely responsible. The existence of growth reductions in natural stands is an expected consequence of the documented changes in stand conditions. The magnitude of the growth reductions, however, cannot be objectively defined as normal or abnormal on the basis of existing data. Researchers are attempting to define the contributions of stand conditions, drought, land-use patterns, atmospheric pollutants, and other factors to observed growth reductions. There is at present no demonstrated link between air pollutants and growth reductions in natural pine stands and no evidence of growth reductions on intensively managed forest industry lands. South. J. Appl. For. 12(2):84-89.