An index of competition based on relative crown position and size

摘要

A new competition index, the Crown Position Index (CPI) was evaluated using a 41-year-old, well stocked, upland hardwood stand in southwestern Tennessee. CPI was based on relative crown position and crown size as expressed by crown projections and relative heights of crop trees and their competitors. Comparisons were made among CPI, the Hegyi (1974) index, and a value of Direct Sunlight from the Side (DSS). Correlations of each measure of competition with 1 and 2 year crop tree diameter growth wereused as criteria for analysis. The highest gammra-values were calculated using DSS followed by the Hegyi index and CPI respectively.