Characterization of rooting patterns in mixedwood forests of white spruce and trembling aspen: Is competition reduced belowground?

Abstract

This study examined the rooting patterns of white spruce (Sw, Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) and trembling aspen (Pt, Populus tremuloides Michx.), and the effect of stand type upon such patterns. Specifically, contrasts were drawn comparing patterns in monospecific stands of these species with mixedwood stands. General rooting patterns of other species, i.e., shrubs, herbaceous plants, etc. were also contrasted. To begin, however, the question should be addressed: Why study mixedwood forests at all?