The effects of silviculture on the structure in mature Scots pine stands

The aim of this paper is to assess the influence of silvicultural treatments on the structural diversity of Scots pine stands in Spain. Two mature Scots pine stands (80-100 years) with different origin and silviculture applied were chosen to develop the study. Spatial pattern, diameter distribution, diameter, height and crown length differentiation, foliage height diversity (FHD) and coarse woody debris (CWD) are compared in both stands. More structural diversity was found both in the spatial pattern and CWD of the forest where the shelterwood system was applied over a longer period, although the forest where silviculture is more intensive had greater FHD. Different aspects of silviculture influence different aspects of stand structure, in a rather logical way, while other structure characteristics remain constant.