Structural development in ageing temperate Scots pine stands

Spontaneous structural development at the stand level in ageing Scots pine stands is characterised, in the absence of major disturbances, by a tendency towards random spatial point pattern and random relative mingling, as well as increasing mingling and increasing tree size differentiation. Also clear development trends at the species level can be distinguished. As pine density in ageing Scots pine stands decreases, the spatial point pattern of pines tends to change from regular towards random. Birch regenerates in canopy gaps of pine. Regeneration of oak establishes prior to gap formation under a canopy of pine, and gradually grows up as more light becomes available in the gaps. Both birch and oak tend from clustered spatial point pattern and segregation towards random spatial point pattern and random mingling. Massive regeneration of pine on open areas after major disturbance is initially clustered. As a result of self-thinning, pine develops towards a regular spatial point pattern. Tree size differentiation of species may increase or decrease depending on the type and intensity of competition processes. The application of the results as a reference for forest management issues where stand structure is of relevance is discussed, with special attention to biodiversity.