Stand dynamics and modelling of effects of natural disturbance on mixedwood development patterns

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Understanding forest dynamics, succession, and habitat relationships under differing levels of silviculture is the underpinning of forest management planning. The Acadian forest is a zone where boreal mixedwoods and spruce-fir meet hardwoods of the northeastern US. Successional dynamics are strongly influenced by natural disturbances, and by a long history of harvest and protection. I propose to study relationships between natural disturbance (spruce budworm outbreaks), ecosite, and stand structure, specifically in mixed balsam fir - hardwood and red spruce - hardwood stands. Results will help to define stand development patterns and appropriate silviculture for mixedwood, a stand type that is not well understood ecologically and that is being rapidly reduced by forest management in the region. The research is novel in combining stand development modeling with field evaluations of natural disturbance effects on stand development.