Physiographic, stand, and environmental effects on individual tree growth and growth efficiency in subalpine forests

Annual volume growth of subalpine trees in the central Rocky Mountains was studied in relation to site and stand conditions. Growth of individual trees was most strongly influenced by estimated potential absorbed radiation, which varied with physiographic conditions and tree leaf area. Growth efficiency was estimated by the ratio of annual volume growth to potential radiation absorption by the crown. Growth efficiency was higher in young lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm.) than in Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) or subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.). In all species, growth efficiency declined sharply with age, and suppressed and overtopped trees had growth efficiencies equal to the highest efficiencies observed for dominant/codominant or intermediate trees. Lodgepole pine growth was most responsive to site and stand variables, Engelmann spruce was intermediate, and subalpine fir was rather unresponsive.