Influence of climate on individual tree growth and carbon sequestration in native‐tree plantings

Native ecosystems face challenges of past and ongoing human actions, including vegetation clearance and climate change arising from greenhouse gas emissions. Reforestation is an important tool for sequestering carbon, so we sought to determine how replanted native trees responded to weather, soil conditions and planting characteristics. We measured girth growth of 13 tree species in 19 native mixed‐species plantings and one remnant in south‐eastern Australia, bimonthly from 2011 to 2016; replantings ranged between 6 and 46 years at the commencement of measurements. Band dendrometers (flexible bands that record changes in girth) were used to measure growth, with 34 measurements per tree taken over 5 years. We used outcomes from models with several plausible weather future scenarios (Dry, Wet, Wet‐to‐Dry and Average) for 25 and 50 years for tree girth, and 25 years for carbon accumulation, into the future. Woody species richness enhanced girth growth of all tree species. Higher maximum temperatures and reduced rainfall, which generally are predicted for the region over coming decades, retarded growth of nine tree species. Planting tree density had no discernible association with growth for the range of planting densities used. The most and least carbon were sequestered in Wet and Dry projections, respectively. Three Acacia spp. (N‐fixers) grew slowest and would sequester least carbon, while four species of Eucalyptus grew fastest. These measurements of growth provide critical information for land managers to guide choice in replanting strategies for carbon storage.     

Vietation changes over three decades on Santa Fe Island, Galhpagos, Ecuador

Changes in mortality and turnover of selected woody plants which dominate and characterise the arid vegetation of the island of Santa Fe, Galapagos, have been studied regularly during the period 1972–2003. After the eradication of feral goats from Santa Fe in 1971, the vegetation started to recover. The previously threatened small tree Scalesia helleri ssp. helleri recovered and some recruitment of the dominant trees Opuntia echios var. barringtonensis and Bursera graveolens took place. The dominant shrub species Cordia lutea, Encelia hispida and Lantana peduncularis increased in number, whereby the shrub layer is becoming denser and the structure of the predominant dry season deciduous steppe forest vegetation is changing. The strong impact of El Niño on the survival and recruitment of Opuntia indicates that recovery of Opuntia-dominated vegetation should be viewed on a time-scale of perhaps 150 years or more, in correspondence with the long life-expectancy of adult Opuntia individual. It is suggested that recruitment and survival of Opuntia may be hindered if future El Niño events are to occur with increased strength, and that this would alter the aspect of the Santa Fe vegetation.     

长白山北坡林线岳桦种群空间分布格局

许多自然林线具有的趋同特征之一即乔木树种高生长受限,常演化为矮曲状或类似于灌木的形态(即树种的灌木型)占据高山植被带,因此研究林线树种乔木型与灌木型的结构、功能差异有助于进一步理解林线形成的原因。种群分布格局作为种群相对位置定量化描述的基本特征,可以表征物种对环境适应性选择的结果,反应生态过程的综合作用。利用点格局方法,研究长白山北坡林线岳桦种群各生活史阶段、两种生活型的分布格局,结果表明,长白山北坡林线岳桦树高生长受到限制,1.5—3.0m是一个关键的树高生长阶段;相比于老树、中树,幼苗和灌木型岳桦更为均匀,对空间的异质性选择更弱;林线岳桦发育过程中,存在一个生活型分离的重要阶段。此外,相对于老树,灌木型分布更为均匀,表明低矮、多枝这种相对紧凑的生活型更适宜在过渡带生存,乔木型岳桦和灌木型岳桦可能代表着不同的生存策略。     

Stand structure, variability in growth and intraspecific competition in a peatland stand of black spruce Picea mariana

Age and size distributions and growth rates of individual trees were examined in a black spruce stand growing on a peatland in Alberta, Canada, 38 years after fire. Both height and basal girth frequency distributions were positively-skewed, with many small and few large individuals. Age distributions were negatively-skewed; most trees were recruited five to seven years after fire and there was little recruitment after 25 years. Stem analysis data indicated that increment in height was nearly constant over the life of the trees but larger trees grew faster than smaller trees. The trees which started growth immediately after the fire maintained faster growth than those recruited some years later. At the time of study, above ground competition and canopy shading were not considered to have a large effect on growth rates of individual trees. Several hypotheses are presented to explain these differences in growth of individual trees.     

五台山林线过渡带华北落叶松格局过程和尺度分析

林线过渡带作为气候变化的预警区,有很重要的研究意义,林线过渡带中人工林的生存与发展对自然保护区景观生态系统影响显著。选取五台山林线内占绝对分布优势的华北落叶松为研究对象。设置50m×50m样地,随机选取5个10m×10m样方进行群落物种信息收集,对乔木的胸径和位置信息进行调查,利用点格局方法和CSR(完全空间随机模型)、HP(空间异质性过程模型)、RL(随机标签模型)对华北落叶松的活立木和枯立木的格局过程进行0—25m尺度上的分析,结果发现:活的华北落叶松平均胸径在11.54cm,死的华北落叶松平均胸径是8.27cm,这个对于30年以上华北落叶松来说胸径值偏小,其生长慢的特点是和林线这个生境特点相适应的。华北落叶松枯立木的聚块很大,在0—15m上都是聚集分布;活立木聚块小出现在0—3m、和21m上。空间异质性过程模型模拟的格局与活立木实际格局差异检验不显著,说明空间异质性可以很好解释活立木格局的成因。随机标签模型模拟结果表明现有活立木和枯立木只在21m附近出现负相关,主要是负密度制约效应是导致的华北落叶松死亡的主要原因,而且对幼苗到幼树的影响最大。同时推测灌木和华北落叶松幼苗和幼树的种间相关作用与其死亡也有一定关系。     

Temporal Changes in the Inequality of Early Growth of Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.: A Novel Application of the Gini Coefficient and Lorenz Asymmetry

Growth within tree populations varies among individuals due to changes in biotic and abiotic factors. The degree of such variation, defined as growth inequality, serves as a useful indicator of the uniformity of growth within a population in response to the prevalent environmental conditions. By application of the Gini coefficient (G), an index for inequality, we characterized the early growth inequality of ninety crosses of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) and their open-pollinated parental lines. Tree cumulative height was measured annually for 8 consecutive years. Both the crosses and parental lines exhibited temporal changes in growth inequality. The inequality of total height among the crosses decreased logarithmically with age by nearly 3-fold after 13 growing seasons, suggesting that tree height became less variable among the crosses as trees grew larger. Interestingly, the Lorenz asymmetry, an index reflecting the shape of the Lorenze curve from which G is derived, revealed that the inequality of annual height increment among the crosses resulted from an alternate contribution of the fast-growing and slow-growing trees. Among parental lines, two provenances with the smallest and the largest overall inequality in total height showed a similar pattern of changes in annual growth inequality, and the provenance differences were consistent over time. Compared to the other provinces, a local provenance exhibited less variation in total height among individual trees as reflected by a smaller value of inequality, and was better adapted to the field conditions. Our results demonstrated the sensitivity and usefulness of the Gini coefficient and Lorenz asymmetry for the analysis of growth inequality in non-natural populations. Growth inequality is a potentially useful evaluation criterion for early selection. Given comparable initial growth, provenances/families with lower growth inequality values would likely outperform those with higher growth inequality, and eventually tree size of the latter would be more variable due to greater variations among individual trees. Assessment of growth inequality at early ages will advance our understanding of variability of tree growth within a population, facilitate forest genetics improvement programs, and enhance the efficiency of tree breeding.     

Structural biomass partitioning in regrowth and undisturbed mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa): implications for bioenergy uses

Honey mesquite ( Prosopis glandulosa Torr.) which grows on grasslands and rangelands in southwestern USA may have potential as a bioenergy feedstock because of existing standing biomass and regrowth potential. However, regrowth mesquite physiognomy is highly different from undisturbed mesquite physiognomy and little is known regarding growth rates and structural biomass allocation in regrowth mesquite. We compared canopy architecture, aboveground biomass and relative allocation of biomass components in regrowth (RG) trees of different known ages with undisturbed (UD) trees of similar canopy height to each RG age class. RG trees in most age classes (2–12 years old) had greater canopy area, leaf area, basal stem number, twig (<0.5 cm diameter) mass and small stem (0.5–3 cm diameter) mass than UD trees of the same height. Large stem (>3 cm diameter) mass was similar between RG and UD trees in all height classes. Ages of UD trees were determined after harvest and further comparisons were made between age, canopy structure and biomass in RG and UD trees. Relationships between age and total mass, age and height, and age and canopy area indicated a faster growth rate in RG than in UD trees. Large stem mass as a percentage of total tree mass accumulated more rapidly with age in RG than UD trees. Leaf area index and leaf : twig mass ratio were maintained near 1 in all RG and UD trees. Regrowth potential may be one of the most important features of mesquite in consideration as a bioenergy feedstock.     

Analysis of development of a subalpineAbies stand based on the growth processes of individual trees

The progress of growth of a subalpine youngAbies veitchii andA. mariesii forest during 25 years was analyzed on the basis of measurements of the processes of height growth of about 230 trees in a quadrat where the old canopy had been completely destroyed by a typhoon in 1959. The original forest floor sapling population had consisted of trees shorter than 2 m. Saplings grew faster after the breakage of the canopy than before,A. veitchii growing faster thanA. mariesii. During the 25 years of growth, a few well developed trees exceeded 6 m in height, while others remained around only 1 m or less. Some small trees, mostlyA. veitchii died at sites of high density. A bimodality in the distribution of tree height had developed with a trough at about 2.5 m, differentiating the trees into canopy and suppressed populations. Canopy trees grew with wide variation of rates, while most of the suppressed trees showed little recent growth. No difference was found in recent growth rates between the two canopyAbies species. Differences in height growth rates among individual canopy trees were analyzed on the basis of their horizontal crown overlapping. Competition models evaluating the difference in height between trees with overlapping crowns were shown to be effective. The height growth rate of a canopy tree appeared to be controlled by both the closely grown taller trees and the local density of trees including those shorter than the subject tree.     

Temperature and soil fertility as regulators of tree line Scots pine growth and survival—implications for the acclimation capacity of northern populations

The acclimation capacity of leading edge tree populations is crucially important in a warming climate. Theoretical considerations suggest that adaptation through genetic change is needed, but this may be a slow process. Both positive and catastrophic outcomes have been predicted, while empirical studies have lagged behind theory development. Here we present results of a 30‐year study of 55,000 Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) trees, planted in 15 common gardens in three consecutive years near and beyond the present Scots pine tree line. Our results show that, contrary to earlier predictions, even long‐distance transfers to the North can be successful when soil fertility is high. This suggests that present northern populations have a very high acclimation capacity. We also found that while temperature largely controls Scots pine growth, soil nutrient availability plays an important role—in concert with interpopulation genetic variation—in Scots pine survival and fitness in tree line conditions. These results suggest that rapid range expansions and substantial growth enhancements of Scots pine are possible in fertile sites as seed production and soil nutrient mineralization are both known to increase under a warming climate. Finally, as the ontogenetic pattern of tree mortality was highly site specific and unpredictable, our results emphasize the need for long‐term field trials when searching for the factors that control fitness of trees in the variable edaphic and climatic conditions of the far North.     

INFLUENCE OF NEIGHBORS ON TREE FORM: EFFECTS OF LATERAL SHADE AND PREVENTION OF SWAY ON THE ALLOMETRY OF LIQUIDAMBAR STYRACIFLUA (SWEET GUM)

Liquidambar styraciflua (sweet gum) saplings were open grown (control), guy-wired to prevent wind-induced sway (constrained), or guy-wired within open-topped shade cloth cylinders to simulate shading by neighboring trees (shaded). Mechanical stability was assessed after 2 years of growth by field measurement of whole-tree flexibility and with the critical buckling height predictions of five allometrical models. Data from this experiment are supplemented with measurements of sweet gum trees growing in a 9-year-old pine plantation; individuals crowded but not overtopped by pines are compared with similar-aged trees growing in openings within the plantation. Changes in aboveground architecture were stimulated by both prevention of sway and lateral shade but the effect of the latter was most pronounced; shaded saplings approached or exceeded their calculated critical height and buckled under their own weight when the shade cloth cylinders were removed. Rates of aboveground biomass acquisition, total leaf area, wood density, and wood elastic moduli did not differ among the three treatments; changes in stem allometry accounted for most of the observed differences in tree stability. Sweet gum trees growing in a pine plantation responded similarly to neighbors; crowded trees had larger height: diameter ratios and more closely approached their calculated critical heights than did trees growing in the open. Sweet gum saplings growing in dense stands of similar-sized plants may surmount their neighbors by allocating relatively more wood to height growth than to girth increment.     

A Garden Experiment on Susceptibility to Rabbit-Grazing, Sapling Growth Rates, and Age at First Reproduction for Eleven European Woody Species

Abstract: Eleven European shrub and tree species have been grown for 13 years in a randomized array (with 2 or 3 provenances for 5 of 11 species) in an experimental garden in southern England. A plague of rabbits in the second year damaged a greater proportion of plants in species with faster height growth, including those that are the commonest colonizers of pastures; most plants recovered rapidly. Apparently, resilience rather than resistance enables these plants to be invaders of abandoned grasslands. Among the shrubs there was little evidence of a trade-off between initial rate of height growth and final height. The small tree Crataegus monogyna overtook the tallest shrub ( Cornus sanguinea ) in the 12th year. Among the shrubs, after 12 years, there was a trend for basal area to be greater in taller species; the trees had notably low basal area for their height. Most individuals of the shrub species reproduced before those of Crataegus and Sorbus aria (in 3–6 years rather than 5–13). Among the shrubs, the earliest to reproduce were fast-growing ( Rosa canina , then Ligustrum vuigare, Prunus spinosa and Rhamnus catharticus ), but then species with a wide range of growth rates all reproduced at the same time ( Euony-mus europaeus, Juniperus communis and Viburnum opulus slow-growing, Cornus sanguinea and V. lantana fast-growing). The results are discussed in relation to theories of resource allocation, and the behaviour of the particular species in the field.     

The performance of Polylepis australis trees along their entire altitudinal range: implications of climate change for their conservation

Altitudinal gradients are expected to heavily influence the general performance of mountain tree species. For this study we evaluated vitality, radial growth and reproductive efficiency in Polylepis australis (Rosaceae) throughout its complete altitudinal range in central Argentina. We selected seven forest fragments ranging from 900 to 2700 m a.s.l. In the field, we subjectively assigned vitality and seed productivity indexes to 12 P. australis trees per fragment. In addition, we cored and assessed for radial growth 10–18 trees per altitudinal level. In the laboratory, we individually weighed seeds from four or five trees from each altitudinal level and divided into two seed mass classes (light and heavy). We then tested for germination and monitored their seedlings for survival. Seedlings of three trees per altitudinal level were harvested after 40 days and assessed for dry mass. Seedlings of one to two trees per altitudinal level were monitored for survival until both leaves and roots had died. Our main results showed two types of responses to altitude: a unimodal relationship with an optimum at intermediate altitudes of around 1800 m a.s.l. for tree vitality, radial growth, seed productivity and seed mass; and an increase with altitude for in-vitro seed germination and seedling survival. A rise in temperature due to climate change could restrict P. australis to the upper most altitudes, where conservation of these forests will be a priority.     

Growth rates of western myall (Acacia papyrocarpa Benth.) during its main phase of canopy spreading

Abstract Data collected by students during a decade are examined for use in constructing growth models of western myall trees during their mid-life phase of canopy spreading. Measurements of tree canopy diameters are found to be too variable (between replicates and through time) to describe growth patterns, but measurements of trunk girth prove more reliable. Two models for growth are presented, based on the trunk girth data set. The models lead to similar estimates of the time taken for canopy spreading, viz. about 160 years, which is consistent with previous anecdotal evidence of western myall longevity.     

Stem growth rhythms in trees of a tropical rainforest in Southern Brazil

Key message

We demonstrate that tropical trees growing in wet climates can have a marked seasonality in cambium activity and stem growth associated with high temperature and day length of summer.

Abstract

Monitoring the rhythm of tree growth associated with the growth rings can contribute substantially to understanding forest dynamics and the management of tropical forests. In this study, we monitored the girth increment rhythm and described the wood characteristics (anatomy of growth rings, wood specific gravity) in 10 tropical tree species (103 individuals) naturally occurring in a wet and weakly seasonal region of Atlantic Forest in southern Brazil. We aimed to verify whether tree growth dynamics are associated with climate and woody anatomy in tropical trees with contrasting ecological characteristics. We installed permanent dendrometer bands and monthly assessed the girth increment for 22 months. We collected wood samples (non-destructive method), measured wood specific gravity and prepared permanent slides to characterize the growth ring markers. We found growth rings in all species (distinct in six species); deciduous species produced more distinguishable tree rings compared with semi-deciduous and evergreen tree species. Species varied in their accumulated girth growth (in average, from 1.83 to 62.64 mm), growth rates (1–15 %), and annual radial increment (0.16–5.44 mm). Girth increment was positively related to temperature and day length in five out of ten tree species, indicating the possible effects of these climatic variables in triggering cambial activity in these species. The growth pattern varied among species and was marginally associated to the tree deciduousness. We concluded that even in wet and less seasonal climates, there can be an association in the cambium activity and stem growth with the hotter and longer days of summer months.

     

Tree–Shrub Interactions During Early Secondary Forest Succession in Uganda

Abstract One of the greatest challenges for ecologists this century will be restoring forests on degraded tropical lands. This restoration will require understanding complex processes that shape successional pathways, including interactions between trees and other plants. Shrub species often quickly invade disturbed tropical lands, yet little is known about whether they facilitate or inhibit subsequent tree recruitment and growth. We examined how shrubs and other vegetation (e.g., vines, grasses, herbs) affect tree recruitment, survival, and growth during the first 6 years of forest succession in Kibale National Park, Uganda. The study was undertaken in two recently logged exotic softwood plantations. We studied the successional trajectories in two recently logged areas that varied in their initial densities of trees and shrubs. Analyses suggested tree seedling presence and density were not strongly related to shrub density or height during succession. Tree sapling presence and density were positively significantly related to shrub density and height. We found little response in the tree community to experimental shrub removal, and although removal of all nontree vegetation temporarily enhanced tree growth, the effect disappeared after 2 years. Some early‐successional trees benefited from reduced competition, whereas some mid‐successional trees benefited from the presence of other vegetation. Some specific tree species responded strongly to vegetation removal. We interpret our findings in light of designing manipulations promoting forest restoration for biodiversity conservation and conclude with four tentative guidelines: (1) manage at the species level, not the community level; (2) increase facilitation for seedlings, reduce competition for saplings; (3) be cautious of assumptions about plant interactions; and (4) be adaptable and creative with new strategies when manipulations fail.     

芦芽山阳坡不同海拔白杄径向生长对气候变暖的响应

使用树轮生态学方法研究了山西芦芽山建群种白杄(Picea meyeri)径向生长对气候变暖的响应状况, 发现随着气温升高, 不同海拔白杄生长与气候因子关系的变化存在差别。研究区气温可以分为1958-1983年的气温降低阶段和1984-2007年的气温升高阶段。由气温降低阶段进入气温升高阶段, 低海拔白杄树轮年表的序列间相关系数和第一主成分解释量均增大, 而高海拔白杄树轮年表的序列间相关系数和第一主成分解释量均减小, 表明气候条件对低海拔白杄生长的影响增强而对高海拔白杄生长的影响减弱。随着气温升高, 不同海拔白杄径向生长与气候因子的关系均出现了变化。1958-1983年, 低海拔(2 060 m)白杄生长与7月降水量显著正相关(p < 0.05), 而在1984-2007年, 这一关系表现为极显著正相关(p < 0.01), 同时与生长季中5-7月平均气温呈现显著负相关(p < 0.05)。海拔2 330 m, 白杄在1958-1983年与7月降水量极显著正相关(p < 0.01), 进入1984-2007年后与气候因子没有显著相关关系。海拔2 440 m, 白杄生长由1958-1983年的与气候因子没有显著相关关系转变为1984-2007年的与上一年10月平均气温显著负相关(p < 0.05)。高海拔(2 540 m)白杄生长在1958-1983年与上一年11月平均气温极显著负相关(p < 0.01), 在1984-2007年与上一年10月、当年1月平均气温和6月降水量均显著负相关(p < 0.05)。滑动相关分析结果表明, 随着气温升高, 低海拔主要气候因子对生长的影响增强, 而高海拔主要气候因子对生长的影响减弱, 这可能成为高海拔白杄生长对气温升高敏感性降低的原因。在气候变暖的驱动下, 海拔引起的白杄生长与气候因子关系的差异发生了变化。     

四川理县杂谷脑干旱河谷岷江柏造林恢复效果评价

在岷江干旱河谷杂古脑河流域,选择岷江柏(Cupressus chengiana)5个不同年份的造林地,调查了岷江柏的生长情况、植物群落特征与土壤理化性质,总体评价干旱河谷乡土树种的造林成效及造林后的生态效果。结果表明:不同年份造林地岷江柏幼树生长状况良好,2003年造林地生长最好,基径、树高和冠径分别达到4.39cm、4.17m和1.01m,当年生长量超过43cm;2001年和2005年造林地次之,基径为4.19cm和4.52cm,冠径为0.55m和0.61m,当年生长量37cm左右,树高为2.50和2.17m;2007年和2009年造林地由于幼树生长时间较短,其基径、树高和冠径都较小,但当年生长量也都超过20cm。不同年份造林地的植被覆盖度变化相对复杂,除2001年造林地外,灌木层盖度随造林时间的增加而逐渐降低;草本层盖度变化较小,2005造林地最高,其他年份造林地没有显著差异。同时,不同年份造林地的群落结构都比较单一,随造林时间的增长,群落物种数量反而降低。在5个不同年份造林地,土壤pH、有机质和养分含量差异相对较小,土壤含水量尽管存在较大差异,但没有明显的变化趋势。综合分析认为,在杂谷脑干旱河谷中山区岷江柏作为造林树种具有一定的生长优势,但造林地的植被和土壤并没有得到改善,需要更加长期的观测评估。     

Developmental patterns of above-ground hydraulic conductance in a Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) age sequence

Hydraulic resistance to water flow was measured in branches and stems of Scots pine trees ranging from 7 to 59 years of age in Thetford (East Anglia, UK). On the basis of these measurements, tree above-ground conductance was calculated and related to the amount of leaf area sustained by each tree. Branches at the crown bottom had a lower proportion of sapwood area and a lower total hydraulic conductance than branches of the same diameter at the tree top. Within branches, most of the hydraulic resistance was located near the needles. Tree above-ground conductance was positively related to tree diameter and inversely related to tree height. Compared with young trees, mature trees had about 4 times less above-ground conductance per unit of leaf area. Apparently, the increase in pathway length associated with tree height growth could be only partially compensated for by the increase in conductive capacities resulting from diameter growth. We argue that this reduction may account for reported decreases of stomatal conductance with tree age. It is suggested that the increase in branchiness associated with tree maturation may represent a compensation mechanism to reduce the overall resistance to water flow in the crowns.     

Response of young<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Tsuga heterophylla</Emphasis> to deer browsing: developing tools to assess deer impact on forest dynamics

We used dendroecology to describe and understand the consequences of deer browsing on regenerating western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla). We compared tree shape, growth rate, height and age at four different sites in Haida Gwaii (British Columbia, Canada) that had trees representative of the range of deer impact on trees: (1) trees showing no sign of browsing, (2) escaped trees which were still browsed below the browse line and (3) stunted and heavily browsed trees. Repeated and intense browsing resulted in the small size, compact heavily ramified shape of stunted trees and in the short compact and ramified lower branches of escaped trees. These contrasted with the shape of non-browsed trees, a shape that was also found in escaped trees above the browse line. Before release, all browsed trees experienced stagnation in growth characterised by narrow rings (0.3 mm/year) and a small annual height increment (2.5 cm/year). At release, growth rate increased and stabilised: rings were wider (1.3 mm/year) and annual height increments were greater (10.5 cm/year). Non-browsed trees had a mean ring-width of 1.3 mm/year and an annual height increment of 22 cm/year. Delay in tree recruitment caused by deer varied from site to site. It had been about 15 years for the escaped trees and is estimated at 30–40 years for the stunted trees. Spatial variation in deer impact may reflect spatial variation of browsing pressure resulting from local differences in the availability of preferred forage or to differences in tree chemical defences/nutritional values.     

Tree vigor and height growth in Black Spruce

Summary The relationship between tree height and tree vigor was examined in order to test the hypothesis that increased height results in a reduction in photosynthate availability for growth due to an increase in respiratory load of the sapwood. Various vigor indices were measured on black spruce [Picea mariana (Mill.) B. S. P.] trees on a wide range of sites and ages. The relationship between these vigor indices and tree height and site quality were then evaluated through correlation and regression analyses. Vigor indices based on meristematic activity such as specific volume increment and height growth rate were generally more strongly correlated than foliage based indices (i.e. Waring vigor estimates). Both tree height and site index were found to have a significant effect on specific volume increment and height growth rate. However the height effect decreased with a decrease in site quality, and became insignificant (P <0.05) on the poorer sites. The full regression model, allowing the height effect to vary between different site quality groups, explained 82% and 72% of the variability in specific volume increment and height growth rate, respectively. The results support the hypothesis that increases in the ratio of respiration to photosynthesis in trees as they increase in size is largely a function of tree height. Possible explanations for the decreased height effect on poor sites are also discussed.