Population dynamics of subalpine Libocedrus bidwillii forests in the Cropp River Valley, Westland, New Zealand

Abstract

Factors influencing the population dynamics of subalpine Libocedrus bidwillii forests are discussed. Within the 4 stands studied the distributions of trees among different size-classes are dissimilar. Other studies also report dissimilar patterns and it seems that L. bidwillii normally regenerates intermittently. This intermittent regeneration is explained in terms of initiation of regeneration after disturbance by infrequent, large-scale, catastrophic events (e.g., windthrow, mass movement) and/or more frequent, smaller-scale, gap-forming events. Release of established seedlings after small-scale forest disturbance is considered an important means of forest regeneration.

Keywords:

• Libocedrus bidwillii
• population dynamics
• disturbance processes
• regeneration patterns
• subalpine forest
• gymnosperm forest
• Westland, New Zealand
• New Zealand flora