• Meng, Xiandong
  University of Maine Graduate School
  

Tree growth, Biomass production, and vegetation patterns of herbicide-released young (11-14 year old) spruce (Picea rubens Sarge.)-fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) stands were compared between poorly and well drained classes in northern central Maine. Ten 10 m2 circular plots were established at 20 m intervals along a transect on each of six poorly drained and five well drained sites; the sixth well drained site included only five such plots. Height and root collar diameter were measured for individual trees of each tree species within the plot. One 1 m2 quadrat was set at the center of each plot. Percent cover of all species/taxa (tree, shrub, and herbaceous) regression equations were developed for spruce, fir, respectively. Stand biomass was estimated from the plot tally, using the biomass equations to calculate the total above ground biomass of individual trees. The study sites were classified based in percent cover data, and the relationship between species/taxon distributions and environmental factors were analyzed.