Stature of Sub-arctic Birch in Relation to Growth Rate, Lifespan and Tree Form
• Background and Aims Sub-arctic mountain birch Betula pubescens var. pumila communities in the North Atlantic region are of variable stature, ranging from prostrate scrubs to forests with trees up to 12 m high. Four hypotheses were tested, relating growth and population characteristics of sub-arcti...
Published in: | Annals of Botany |
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Main Author: | |
Format: | Text |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Oxford University Press
2004
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Online Access: | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4242221 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15374837 https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mch200 |
Summary: | • Background and Aims Sub-arctic mountain birch Betula pubescens var. pumila communities in the North Atlantic region are of variable stature, ranging from prostrate scrubs to forests with trees up to 12 m high. Four hypotheses were tested, relating growth and population characteristics of sub-arctic birch woodland and scrub to tree stature; i.e. the variable stature of birch woods is due to differences in (1) the mean growth rate; (2) the age-related patterns of growth rate; (3) the life expectancy of stems; or (4) the tree form. |
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