These photos are an example of a photo series from one of the EFM plots located at Stabelchod (plot 05004000). The plot contains Pinus mugo with some regeneration of Pinus cembra. The photos show how the plot has developed from being relatively dense before self-thinning and finally opening up enough for regeneration to occur.

Historical development of the plot area in the EFM plots grouped by plot type in terms of plot area (upper) and the number of plots (lower).

The forest growth research platform of WSL includes a unique network of 390 plots that are measured every 5 to 12 years. The diameter and height growth of the trees are measured, and the recruitment, mortality and management interventions are also recorded. The plots are located in all of the important forest types of Switzerland (see map). Many of the plots have been under observation for more than 50 years and 18 plots have been under observation for more than 100 years. The data set offers excellent research opportunities due to its long time series and the diversity of plots, including uneven-aged stands, mountain forests and mixed-species forests. This potential is further enhanced by the existence of a similar network of WSL plots in unmanaged forests (Natural Forest Reserves).

We expect to obtain site information for each plot so that the effects of climatic and edaphic variables can be included in the analyses. We also plan to add new plots of young forests that originate from storm damage of the past 15-25 years, as well as increasing the number of experiments where specific treatments are being applied to answer ecological and management questions. A methodology and overview of the project can be found here.
 

The figure above is an example of growth data from a plot in Zofingen (Number 41018000) that has been measured since 1890. This plot is dominated by Fagus sylvatica. The top pane shows the development of basal area and indicates that 15 thinning events have occurred during the measurement period. The bottom pane shows the stem diameter development of all trees within the plot. Notice that the thinning intensity increased in the early 1950`s (see top pane) and as a consequence the growth rate of the individual trees accelerated (see bottom pane). In addition to stem diameters, variables measured on all EFM plots include tree heights, height to crown base, crown diameter, dominance class, stem form, spatial coordinates of each tree and several others.