A New Stocking Guide and Density Management Diagram for Acadian Spruce-fir Forests

This chapter documents a new Reineke-style density management diagram (DMD) and a new version of the familiar Gingrich-style stocking guide (SG) for Acadian spruce-fir forests. Both are based on a maximum stand density index (SDI) of 548 (100% relative density) which represents an area-weighted average for the Acadian region. The stocking guide is derived from DMD-based relative-density (RD) zones, which include the Zone of Optimal Density Management ( ZODM, RD = 30-55%), the Zone of Low-density Management (ZLDM, RD = 15-30%), and the Zone of Imminent Competition-based Mortality (ZICM, RD = 55-67%).