2.5. Thinning and harvesting operations
Thinning is the principal silvicultural practice to
influence the development of a forest stand after the
phase of reproduction and early growth of seedlings.
Cleaning of young stands from inferior phenotypes
and removal of trees during harvesting operations have
similar genetic implications which are, of course,
manifested in the next generation only if the forest
is naturally regenerated. Changes of genetic structures
due to thinning and harvesting may be expected either
due to stochastic processes because of reduced population
sizes (drift; case study 5) or due to preferred
selective removal of trees with a particular genotype
(selection; case study 6).
Cleaning of young stands by the removal of inferior,
but fast-growing phenotypes is a potential cause for
changes of genetic structures different from natural selection. Fast-growing, but branchy trees with poor
stem form may be expected to become part of the
reproducing mature forest without forest management,
but will be selectively removed in order to
improve timber quality in managed forests. Estimates
of heritabilities from field trials prove that growth and
quality traits of forest trees are partially under genetic
control. Thus, cleaning of young stands is likely to
induce changes of genetic structures. However, a large
number of young trees is left after cleaning, and losses
of genetic variation due to drift are unlikely. Furthermore,
the selection of phenotypically inferior trees
will usually not deteriorate the genetic composition of
tree populations.
2.5. Thinning and harvesting operationsThinning is the principal silvicultural practice toinfluence the development of a forest stand after thephase of reproduction and early growth of seedlings.Cleaning of young stands from inferior phenotypesand removal of trees during harvesting operations havesimilar genetic implications which are, of course,manifested in the next generation only if the forestis naturally regenerated. Changes of genetic structuresdue to thinning and harvesting may be expected eitherdue to stochastic processes because of reduced populationsizes (drift; case study 5) or due to preferredselective removal of trees with a particular genotype(selection; case study 6).Cleaning of young stands by the removal of inferior,but fast-growing phenotypes is a potential cause forchanges of genetic structures different from natural selection. Fast-growing, but branchy trees with poorstem form may be expected to become part of thereproducing mature forest without forest management,but will be selectively removed in order toimprove timber quality in managed forests. Estimatesof heritabilities from field trials prove that growth andquality traits of forest trees are partially under geneticcontrol. Thus, cleaning of young stands is likely toinduce changes of genetic structures. However, a largenumber of young trees is left after cleaning, and lossesof genetic variation due to drift are unlikely. Furthermore,the selection of phenotypically inferior treeswill usually not deteriorate the genetic composition oftree populations.
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