Implication of Self-thinning in Salix Communities on Riverine Wetland Restoration

Self-thinning was measured in Salix communities on Bam Island in Seoul at various age stages. $D^2H$ was used to estimate tree biomass, where D is stem diameter at breast height or 10 cm height for plants with height <1.5 m, and H is height. A log-log plot of density versus $D^2H$ and correlation analysis indicated a significant relationship between density and biomass with equation 'log $D^2H$ = -1.27 log N + 7.06'. This indicates that self-thinning affects biomass in the Salix community with -1.27 as the thinning coefficient. If we assume a thinning exponent -3/2, then the allometric coefficient of the equation, log w = a log $D^2H$ + b, is 1.18. This is much higher than that for any other species studied in Korea. There were statistically significant relationships between age and density and between age and basal area and these relationships suggest guidelines for transplantation of willows and for the assessment of Salix community restoration projects in riverine wetlands based on standard density, basal area, and age. The results of this study may also increase understanding of succession processes in Salix community restoration in riverine wetlands.