A COMPARISON OF ABOVEGROUND COMPONENT WEIGHTS AND ELEMENT AMOUNTS IN 4 FOREST SPECIES AT KIRKTON-GLEN

Trees, selected to cover the basal area size classes, were sampled at Kirkton Glen, part of Strathyre Forest, to determine the weights and element contents of the above-ground components. The main species present in this catchment were Sitka spruce, Norway spruce, European larch and Scots pine, all about 50 years old. Plots were established within representative areas of each species in the catchment, the stem size distribution was determined and a number of trees were selected for intensive sampling. Measurements of ring area and height increment were assembled to study tree growth, and showed that at all sites Sitka spruce was the most productive species. Component weights and nutrient contents from this mature site were compared with results from younger forested stands from other areas which had been determined using similar sampling strategies. Compilation of nutrient budgets also allowed evaluation of the consequences on element budgets of the various harvesting techniques to be assessed at this site, which is due to the progressively clear-felled.