%0 Research article
%T Degree of previous cutting in explaining the differences in diameter distributions between mature managed and natural Norway spruce forests
%A Siipilehto, Jouni
%A Siitonen, Juha
%D 2004
%J Silva Fennica
%V 38
%N 4
%R doi:10.14214/sf.410
%U https://silvafennica.fi/article/410
%X The degree of naturalness was assessed in 37 mature (stand age 80 198  yrs) Norway spruce dominated stands located in southern Finland by  measuring the number (0 610 ha–1) and basal area (0 33 m2 ha–1) of cut  stumps. The Johnson’s SB distribution was fitted for living spruce trees  to describe the dbh-frequency and basal area-dbh distributions.  Regression models were constructed for predicting the parameters of the  SB distribution using traditional stand parameters (median diameter,  basal area, stem number) and the cut stump variables (number, basal  area). Stump variables improved the models and enabled to explain the  differences in diameter distributions between stands with varying  intensity of past cutting. Model for basal area-dbh distribution was  more accurate than dbh-frequency model in terms of regression  statistics, but less accurate in terms of generated stand variables. The  number and basal area of cut stumps seem to be useful and simple  measures of stand naturalness which have potential uses in stand  modelling and biodiversity-oriented forestry planning.