Structure, spatial distribution and competition in mixed jack pine (Pinus banksiana) stands on clay soils of eastern Canada

Abstract

The dynamics of pure jack pine (Pinus banksiana) stands and of those also comprising a component of white birch (Betula papyrifera) and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) was assessed in natural post-fire stands on clay soils of eastern Canada boreal mixed woods in order to shed some light on mechanisms controlling composition. Age structures indicated that the presence of birch or aspen merely shortened the establishment of jack pine. Basal area structures of jack pine showed lower skewness coefficients in mixtures with birch than in pure jack pine stands or when mixed with aspen indicating that birch is probably a weaker competitor. Its effect on mean pine diameter probably reflects the lower pine stem density when mixed with birch. Inter-specific competition however had no effect on pine diameter at the tree level. Competition between birch, aspen and pine is avoided by species spatial exclusion measured by Ripley's statistic and reflects the reproductive strategies of the species and history of the site.