Competitive interactions of whiteleaf manzanita, herbs, Douglas-fir, and ponderosa pine in southwest Oregon

Abstract
Whiteleaf manzanita (Arctostaphylosviscida Parry) was established on three sites at densities ranging from 0 to 27 000 seedlings/ha in 2-year-old mixed stands of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and ponderosa pine (Pinusponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.). Invading herbs were controlled by spraying all plots, except one at each site at the 13 500 manzanita/ha density level. Intraspecific manzanita competition reduced individual shrub basal diameter, leaf area, biomass, and canopy volume by the 3rd year of our study. In contrast, these variables increased at the highest density in the manzanita stand. Stem volume of 5-year-old conifers was reduced in relation to manzanita density, biomass, leaf area index, and canopy cover. The presence of herbaceous vegetation reduced both manzanita and conifer growth by the 3rd year.

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