JOURNAL OF NANJING FORESTRY UNIVERSITY ›› 2023, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (3): 157-163.doi: 10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202201020

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The population structure and dynamics of Liquidambar formosana on the southeast foothill of Zijin Mountain, Nanjing City

ZOU Pengjun1(), GUAN Qingwei1,*(), YUAN Zaixiang1, GU Yuqing1, WU Qian1, NIU Yingying1, CHEN Xia2, JIN Xuemei2   

  1. 1. Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
    2. The Administration Bureau of Dr. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing 210014, China
  • Received:2022-01-12 Revised:2022-10-09 Online:2023-05-30 Published:2023-05-25
  • Contact: GUAN Qingwei E-mail:zou1511977682@163.com;guanjapan999@163.com

Abstract:

【Objective】The aim of this study is to evaluate the quantitative population dynamics of Liquidambar formosana under natural succession to provide a theoretical basis for the sustainable forest management on Zijin Mountain in Nanjing, China.【Method】Using the L. formosana population in a fixed sample plot on the southeastern foothill of Zijin Mountain in Nanjing as the research object, the indices of diameter at breast height (DBH), height, and crown width of all individuals were recorded. Subsequently, the DBH of the L. formosana population was divided into nine diameter classes, which were used as age class surrogates to examine the population structure. An age structure diagram of L. formosana population was constructed and the population dynamics were described quantitatively using the structural dynamic index. Finally, the structural characteristics and change trends of the population were analyzed and predicted by compiling the static life table, constructing the survival, mortality, and disappearance rate curves using the survival analysis function and linear stationary time series.【Result】(1) The individual age structure diagram of L. formosana population was a “pyramid” shape, and the quantitative variability dynamic index of the age structure under intervention was 0.02, indicating the population is able to maintain a positive growth in the current succession stage. (2) The survival curve of L. formosana population was inclined to Deevey-Ⅰ, where the individual survival rate slowly decreased with an increase in age, while the mortality, disappearance, cumulative mortality, and hazard rates increased, and the death density diminished. (3) The predicted results from the time-sequence model showed that L. formosana would continue to grow in a lengthy succession in the future. (4) L. formosana is expected to enter the later stage of life as the DBH reaches ≥32.5-37.5 cm, and the ability to resist the interference from the external environment is relatively poorer.【Conclusion】L. formosana is a zonal tree species in northern subtropical and warm temperate regions and has a strong natural regeneration ability, with the ability to retain many seedlings and a complete age structure on Zijin Mountain in Nanjing. Therefore, the L. formosana population may occupy the niche of the pioneer species Pinus massoniana population in a future succession stage. However, it is worth noting that the individuals in the L. formosana population gradually reach their physiological life span when the DBH reaches age class Ⅶ (≥ 32.5-37.5 cm), and their ability to resist the interference from the external environment is poor. Accordingly, it is suggested to strengthen the protection of L. formosana individuals whose DBH reaches 32.5 cm to further improve the scenic splendor of Zijin Mountain, increase the resistance stability and ecological space expansion potential of the population, and promote the progressive succession of forest communities.

Key words: Liquidambar formosana, population structure, quantity dynamic, static life table, survival analysis

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