The sensitivity analysis graphed above includes the
cores from both the ridgetop and slope locations. This
comparison of sensitivity indices shows that sugar maple
growth is most sensitive to variations in environmental
factors such as, light availability and soil moisture. Oaks
appear to be least affected by environmental variations.
A comparison of sensitvity indices for trees growing
on the ridgetop and those growing on the slope shows that
the slope trees tended to be more sensitive to environmental
variations. Although these numbers may not be statistically
significant they suggest that more environmental
fluctuations which affect plant growth occurred on the
slope.
