Standstructuur

Standstructuur, often studied in forestry and forest ecology, describes how a forest stand is organized in space and time. It encompasses the mix of species, the distribution of trees across ages and sizes, the vertical layering of vegetation, and the amount of deadwood. Understanding stand structure helps explain ecosystem processes such as light regimes, productivity, competition, and habitat provision.

Key components include species composition, age structure, and size distribution. Species composition notes which species are present and their relative abundances. Age structure reflects the range of ages within the stand, while size distribution summarizes the variation in tree diameter and height, often expressed as diameter-class distributions and basal area per hectare. Vertical structure captures canopy layers and understory development, and deadwood reflects habitat availability for saproxylic organisms.

Assessment relies on field inventories and sampling plots to measure DBH, height, and age, plus metrics such as stem density, basal area, and percent cover. Remote sensing, including LiDAR and aerial imagery, complements ground plots by characterizing vertical structure and spatial patterns at larger scales.

Stand structure changes through natural disturbances, growth, and management. Even-aged stands tend to have uniform sizes and a simple vertical profile, while uneven-aged or complex stands exhibit multiple age classes and multiple canopy layers. Silvicultural practices such as thinning, selective cutting, and gap creation aim to shape standing structure to meet production, biodiversity, or resilience objectives.

Stand structure is a central concept for forest management, habitat assessment, and carbon accounting. It informs decisions on conservation priorities, timber yield, and vulnerability to pests and climate change by capturing the heterogeneity that governs ecological processes.