Structure and changes of broad-leaved-conifer-Korean pine mixed forest in Northeast China

Abstract

The structure and species composition as well as their changes in a climax forest, dominated byPinus koraiensis-Tilia amurensis andFraxinus koraiensis, were observed with an interval of 10 years. The number of tree species was 16 in 1981, which was kept unchanged. Density was increased from 510 to 535 stems/hm², and basal area from 35.19 to 38.17 m²/hm². Average stand DBH remained nearly unchanged. The total mortality of the stand was very low, 0.61% per year.Fraxinus andPinus were declining in population size, the highest mortality rate for the former, and the largest death number for the latter.Tilia showed a rapid increasing of 14.9%, and the density of saplings (DBH 3-8 cm) was 71 stems/hm², led the top among canopy-layer species.Acer mono, similar toTilia, showed a type of continuous regeneration which was represented by the reverse J-shape of DBH distribution and compensation ability to mortality. Sub-canopy species such asAcer pseudo-sieboldianum, Maackia amurensis etc. presented a stable status by self-maintenance. Based on the fact of the decreasing of dominant populations, it is predicted that the composition of the community was changing gradually, the rising of broad-leaved components versus the declining of coniferous species.

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