Forecasting effects of SO/sub 2/ pollution on growth and succession in a western conifer forest

Conference · Wed Jun 18 04:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:6637422

Kercher, J R; Axelrod, M C; Bingham, G E

A simulator has been developed for the mixed conifer forest type of the Sierra Nevada, California to forecast the effects of SO/sub 2/ on forest growth and succession. The model simulates recruitment, growth, and death of each tree and is based on a northeastern USA simulator with extensive modifications. These modifications include the introduction of fire ecology, temporal seed crop patterns unique to the Sierra, and water stress. Pollutant stress is modeled as an effect on tree growth. The model simulates the shift from the ponderosa pine dominated forest type to the white fir dominated mixed conifer type as elevation increases from 5000 to 6000 ft. It also simulates the fire-suppression of white fir and the fire-climax of ponderosa pine. For a 10% growth reduction of ponderosa pine from pollutant stress and with growth reductions in other species as determined by their relative sensitivities, standing crops of ponderosa pine were reduced and white fir increased.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6637422
• Report Number(s): UCRL-84068; CONF-800649-2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560303* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Plants-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
BIOLOGICAL STRESS
CALIFORNIA
CHALCOGENIDES
DATA
DEATH
ECOLOGY
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FORESTS
GROWTH
INFORMATION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANT GROWTH
POLLUTION
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
THEORETICAL DATA
USA
WESTERN REGION