Architectural approach to analysis of North American temperate deciduous forests

Abstract

The architectural approach to the analysis of forest structure and dynamics, which originated in the tropics, has increasingly been applied to temperate forests during recent years, especially in Europe. However, few examples are available for this continent. To test the usefulness in North American temperate deciduous forests, an architectural analysis was conducted in a series of Appalachian oak forest stands. Central to the analysis are profile diagrams and plans of forest sample plots, five of which are presented here in detail. The interpretation of the diagrams focuses on the growth and development of the individual tree as well as the forest community, and thereby reveals certain phenomena which may not be detected by traditional plot sampling techniques. The architectural approach adds a new dimension to the existing array of research methods and its application is expected to be of great value in basic and applied studies of forest ecology.