A model will be
developed to simulate the tree/crown growth for the species considered in the
Network. This state-of-the-art model will predict volume growth and stem
characteristics and branchiness for every point within the stem. The use of
this process-based model will enable the use of physiological parameters to
predict certain wood characteristics (e.g. sapwood, knottiness, juvenile wood)
as they depend highly upon the tree ecophysiology and crown structure. Using
the CroBas framework, a spatially explicit individual tree model will be
developed to better predict the growth of mixed stands. The growth model will
yield a picture of every tree in the stand, including their shape and
characteristics. In addition, selected empirical growth models which are useful
but unavailable (e.g. DBH distribution), will be developed. The database for
this project will come from three sources: 1) existing datasets from research
institutes and partners, 2) re-measurements of selected permanent sample plots
across the national distribution of each species, and 3) intensive and detailed
measurements (including biomass) of selected temporary sample plots. Sample
trees will be selected in each plot, and various tree and crown characteristics
will be measured prior to felling. Destructive sub-samples will be taken from
selected trees and used in Themes 1 to 5. Various stem/wood quality and product
recovery parameters will be obtained for each sample tree. A common harmonized
database from silviculture / stand characteristics to tree-level product
recovery will be established to develop integrated models along the forest-wood
value chain.
The researchers and students associates to this theme are:
- Researchers :
- Phil
Comeau (U. of Alberta)
- Robert Schneider (UQAR)
- Valerie LeMay (UBC)
- Changhui Peng (UQAM)
- Peter Marshall (UBC)
- Frédéric Raulier (U. Laval)
- John
Caspersen (U. of Toronto)
-
- Students and postdoctoral
fellows :
- Weifeng Wang (UQAM)
- Zhihai Ma (UQAM)
- Wided Chourou (UQAM)
- Derek
Sattler (U. of Alberta)
- Adam
Kuprevicius (U. of Toronto)
- Mark
Vanderwel (U. of Toronto)
- Suborna
Shekkor Ahmed (UBC)
- Venceslas
Goudiaby (UQAR)
- Hugues
Power (UQAM)
- Stephanie Ewen (U. Laval)
- Anna
Shcherbinina (UBC)
- Li
Li (UQAR)
You will find all theme 1 projects in the following table.
