Topography and biomass characteristics of a forested catchment in the Northern Appalachians

Abstract

Using data from 241 plots the variability of site index and biomass in a forested catchment was represented by the distribution of the appropriate differences between plot values and the average values for the whole catchment period. Relationships were derived that express the above differences as functions of azimuth and inclination of forest sites. They yield highest site index values for east-facing slopes and highest biomass values for north-facing slopes. The west-facing slopes are characterized by minimum values of site index and biomass. On west-facing slopes site index decreases when slope inclination increases; on east- and north-facing slopes site index increases with inclination. On south-facing slopes biomass decreases when slope inclination increases; on north-facing slopes biomass increases with slope inclination. For partial areas of the catchment, the difference between computed and observed site index appears between 3.5% and 6.9% of its average value for the whole catchment. The appropriate difference for biomass is from 12.2% of 35.6% of its average value for the whole catchment. Both differences reach maximum values in the northern part of the catchment that is characterized by greater stoniness. © 1983.