JOURNAL OF NANJING FORESTRY UNIVERSITY ›› 2023, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (5): 147-155.doi: 10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202112016

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Evaluating the structure complexity of different forest types in the central part of the Greater Khingan Mountains

DONG Lingbo(), TANG Yaru, TIAN Dongyuan, LIU Zhaogang*(), LIN Xueying   

  1. Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem and Management, School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 100040, China
  • Received:2021-11-19 Revised:2022-02-21 Online:2023-09-30 Published:2023-10-10

Abstract:

【Objective】The complexity of different forest types was evaluated to determine the main factors affecting stand structure and provide a theoretical basis upon which the precise forest management can be developed.【Method】A total of 30 permanent sample plots comprising different stand types (Betula platyphylla forest, Larix gmelinii-Betula platyphylla mixed forest and Larix gmelinii forest) in Cuigang Forest Farm, the Greater Khingan Mountains were investigated and 13 indicators selected to consider four aspects, namely stand structure, forest tree size diversity, forest dynamic and soil conditions. The stand complexity was evaluated using the radar chart method.【Result】The diameter distribution of the three stand types was found to be in the form of an inverse “J” pattern, with the overall tree distribution generally random; however, slight uniformity was observed. The tree size differentiation was inferior and middling, while stand density varied from medium to dense. The maximum stand mixing, Simpson diversity, Shannon-Wiener and Pielou evenness index results were obtained for L. gmelinii-B. platyphylla mixed forest, while the maximum stand volume and healthy wood proportion were observed in L. gmelinii forest. No significant differences were observed in terms of natural regeneration, soil organic matter, and soil humus layer thickness in different succession stages (P>0.05). The forest structure complexity was observed in the order of L. gmelinii-B. platyphylla mixed forest (0.45) > L. gmelinii forest (0.37) > B. platyphylla forest (0.31), during which the stand mixing, the Simpson diversity index, and the healthy tree proportion were the main factors affecting complexity. 【Conclusion】 The overall complexity of the forest structure is inferior. For the subsequent forest management, increasing the species diversity and improving the forest environment can promote positive progress in forest restoration and succession.

Key words: stand type, stand structure, complexity, evaluation index, the Greater Khingan Mountains

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