@article {Pretzsch:August 2005:0015-749X:304,
	author = "Pretzsch, Hans",
	author = "Biber, Peter",
	title = "A Re-Evaluation of Reineke's Rule and Stand Density Index",
	journal = "Forest Science",
	volume = "51",
	year = "August 2005",
	abstract = "The self-thinning rule established by Reineke in 1933, <I>N</I> <IMG SRC="/iso-ents/isogrk1/agr-s.gif" ALT="agr"> <I>d</I><SUP>-1.605</SUP> (<I>N</I>, <I>d</I> = number of stems and quadratic mean diameter, respectively) assumes the same allometric relationship between size and density for a wide spectrum of species under self-thinning conditions. We re-evaluate this rule based on 28 fully stocked pure stands of common beech (<I>Fagus sylvatica</I> L.), Norway spruce (<I>Picea abies</I> [L.] Karst.), Scots pine (<I>Pinus sylvestris</I> L.), and common oak (<I>Quercus petraea</I> [Mattuschka] Liebl.) in Germany that date back to the year 1870. OLS regression of the model ln(<I>N</I>) = <I>a</I> + <I>b</I> &#183; ln(<I>d</I>) results in <I>b</I> values of -1.789 for common beech, -1.664 for Norway spruce, -1.593 for Scots pine, and -1.424 for common oak. The allometric coefficient for common beech differs significantly from the other species. There is also a significant difference between the <I>b</I> values of Norway spruce and common oak. Except for Scots pine, the above allometric coefficients deviate significantly (common beech) and close-to-significantly (Norway spruce, common oak) from the coefficient -1.605 postulated by Reineke in 1933. To cover the species&#150;specific oscillation of mortality rates, we additionally calculate the self-thinning coefficient for each survey period. Ecological implications of the species-specific scaling exponents are stressed and consequences regarding tools for regulating stand density are discussed. FOR. SCI. 51(4):304&#150;320.",
	pages = "304-320(17)",
	url = "http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/saf/fs/2005/00000051/00000004/art00004"
}