Stand Strucuture of Planted Stands in Storm-Water Retention Basins

<p>Trees assist in stormwater retention basin functionality as efficient sources of water removal, and determining stand structure and leaf area of forests can be a measure of their effectiveness. The structure of forest stands on these basins managed for runoff mitigation has received little attention. We investigated the structure and species composition/diversity (tree and herbaceous) of planted, managed stands and naturally regenerated stands on stormwater retention basins managed by Harris County Flood Control District in Harris County, Texas. We determined stand structure variables (trees per hectare, basal area per hectare, quadratic mean diameter, relative density, average tree height, and percent canopy coverage) as they relate to leaf area index (LAI) and stand age. Simple linear regressions were used to determine relationships for: structure variables with LAI, structure variables with age, hemispheric canopy photography/LI-COR LAI-2200c measurements, and dormant/growing season LAI. Positive, increasing relationships (p< 0.05) were found for: LAI with structure variables, dormant/growing season LAI, and hemi photography/LAI-2200c measurements. No relationship was found between structure variables and age. Two-way t-tests and PERMANOVAs showed significant differences (p< 0.05) between the planted and unplanted area stands for: structural variables and LAI (except dormant LAI, hemi photography LAI, and relative density), species composition (tree and herbaceous), and tree species abundance. Overall, our results for the structure variable with LAI relationships and species composition/diversity were in line with studies on other forest stands regarding the effects of management regimes and stand dynamics (density, disturbance, and light competition) on stand structure and composition.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science - Forestry

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Forestry

Year dc:date.available

2025

Author dc:creator

• Lanza, Jason

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Jeremy Stovall
• Dr. Matthew McBroom
• Dr. Yuhui Weng

• stormwater retention basin
• stand structure
• LAI
• management
• Harris County
• species composition
• Forest Biology
• Forest Management
• Forest Sciences
• Other Forestry and Forest Sciences
• Other Plant Sciences

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/637

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.sfasu.edu:etds-1676