Survival and growth of western larch seedlings in relation to light availability

• Main Author: Klinka, Karel
• Language: English
• Published: Forest Sciences Department, University of British Columbia 2008
• Subjects: Biomass; Interior cedar - hemlock; Interior douglas-fir; Light; Montane spruce; Shade tolerance; Western larch; Western larch - seedlings
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/651

Western larch (Larix occidentalis Nutt.) is an important component of the montane forest in southeastern British Columbia. It grows in cool-temperate (IDF and ICH zones) and boreal climates (MS zone and, occasionally, ESSF zone). Larch is considered a very shade-intolerant species which can tolerate low light (partial shading) only during the seedling stage (the first 5 growing seasons). Typically, it regenerates after fire in the open on seedbeds exposed by burning. However, to what extent it tolerates low light and how various light environments affect its survival and growth is not known. The objective of our study was to determine the variation in survival and growth of western larch seedlings in relation to light availability and site conditions.