JOURNAL OF NANJING FORESTRY UNIVERSITY ›› 2024, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (5): 48-56.doi: 10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202312027

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Comprehensive effect of understory medicinal herb cultivation on individual volume growth in near-mature, mature and overmature Cunninghamia lanceolata forests

YE Limin1(), XU Yuanke1, ZHOU Yizhi1, CHEN Zhenglu1, WANG Yixiang2, GE Hongli2,*()   

  1. 1. Jingning She Autonomous County Ecological Forestry Development Center, Jingning 323500, China
    2. State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
  • Received:2023-12-07 Revised:2024-04-16 Online:2024-09-30 Published:2024-10-03
  • Contact: GE Hongli E-mail:191953314@qq.com;honglige@zafu.edu.cn

Abstract:

【Objective】 In the past, the understory planting was primarily conducted in young to middle-aged forests. However, with the advancement of public welfare forest development and the promotion of large-diameter timber cultivation, the issue of understory planting in mature stands has become an urgent research topic. This study aims to investigate the comprehensive effects of understory medicinal herb cultivation activities, including related shrubs cleaning up, land preparation, fertilization, routine care, and the growth of herbs, on the individual tree volume growth in mature Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) forests. 【Method】 A total of 10 plots with understory planting of medicinal herbs and 10 plots without understory planting were established in mature Chinese fir plantations within Daji Forest Farm and Caoyu Pond Forest Farm, Jingning She Autonomous County, located in the southwestern part of Zhejiang Province. The medicinal herbs have been growing for a period of three years. One average tree from each plot was selected for wood analysis. The impact analysis of understory planting was conducted using a widely adaptable linear modeling approach, considering the annual growth measurements of volume, diameter, and height over the past three years. 【Result】 Under the simultaneous consideration of factors such as age, diameter at breast height, tree height, density, and site index, understory planting of medicinal herbs showed a significant promotional effect on individual tree volume growth. 【Conclusion】 With appropriate measures, understory planting can still significantly promote the volume growth of mature Chinese fir trees. However, this promotion is constrained by the age of the tree. The linear modeling approach is particularly suitable for analyzing data in situations where complexity exists and strict experimental control is not feasible. This method offers flexibility and provides reliable results. In small sample cases when using this method, it is necessary to perform a series of checks on the data to determine if the conditions are met in the course of modelling. Application of remedial measures to data that do not meet requirements.

Key words: understory planting, near-mature mature and overmature stands, Cunninghamia lanceolata, large caliber lumber, annual growth rate, linear model

CLC Number: