Adapting silvicultural practises to offset the effects of climate change. Results for french sessile oak plantations based silvicultural experimentation in two networks

Abstract

The effects of population density and summer drought were analysed by means of diameter and height growth in sessile oaks (Quercus petraea) on the stand and individual tree scales. Dendrometric inventory data collected from two networks of silvicultural experimentation were used (LERFOB and GIS Coop networks, 9 sites, 31 plots, 99 inventories, ages from 10 to 120 years). These networks study the effects of a broad range of densities, from freely growing trees (relative density index, or RDI, close to 0) to maximum density situations where self-thinning occurs (RDI equal to or in excess of 1). Climate conditions vary from 660 to 850 mm per year with a heat gradient of 9.5 to 11.5 °C (average ..