Tree mortality is an excellent, but long neglected, subject for long-term study. Moreover, tree mortality is fundamental to understanding how forested ecosystems function and respond to stress. Despite conventional wisdom that perennial plant demography can not be studied, experience from the And rews LTER suggests even a 10 year study provides considerable insight into the demography of long-lived tree species. Tree mortality is also neglected from short-term litterfall and production studies, the end result being that this process has been virtually ignored in global carbon budgets. Data from the Andrews LTER indicates tree death accounts for 50% of the above ground litterfall and for Ca. 30% of the above ground net primary production in old-growth conifer forests.
This paucity of information need not continue! LTER could provide a valuable service to all by identifying available data sets, focusing future research efforts, and synthesizing existing information. In order to foster inter- site comparisons and synthesis, Mark Harmon and Jerry Franklin will be hosting a three day workshop on tree mortality in Corvallis in September1989. Tentative discussion topics include:
- Possible comparative studies/syntheses within LTER
- Identifying existing data sets within and outside LTER
- Examine data requirements for meaningful regional and global syntheses
- Standardization of methods
- The relevance of this process toward understanding ecosystem succession, modeling, nutrient cycling, and production
Limited funding will be available for travel of the participants, so if someone at your site (including non-LTER sites) would like to participate in the workshop please contact: Dr. Mark E Harmon, Department of Forest Science, Oregon State University, Peavy Hall 154, Corvallis, OR 97331-5705