The comparison of productivity of the pure and mixed larch stands in Lithuania

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the main dendrometric parameters and the status of the pure and mixed larch stands. Our research was performed during 2015-2016 in the pure and mixed larch stands of 30-60 years old. We didn’t included younger stands, as on such age the interspecific interactions are still weak, as well as older stands - due to shorter rotation age of larch. The similar comprehensive study performed in Lithuania only more than 60 years ago. During the research we evaluated 138 stands (207 ha) and established 503 sample plots, measured 21600 trees. Totally the research is performed on the 24.3% of total area of the larch stands in Lithuania. Though in the age of 40-50 years larch stands reach the same volumes as the pine stands reach at the age 100, intense larch stand cultivation is not promoted in Lithuania. The evaluation of the stand volume showed, that the pure larch stands of third - sixth age classes produce the standing volume from 347 m3/ha to 585 m3/ha in average, while the mixed stands – from 278 m3/ha to 527 m3/ha. The average difference between the steam volumes of the larch of 5 and 6 age classes is only 0,036 m3.