Abstract:

This paper intended to investigate the spatial structure pattern of natural Korean pine broadleaved forests and to provide a basis for managing the natural forests. Topcon was used to survey every tree in a 1 hm2 plot in Changbai Mountains, and a uniform index was employed to analyze the spatial characteristics of trees with different diameter classes in the plot. Further, pattern testing-uniform index, point pattern and angle index were used to analyze the spatial distribution pattern of dominant tree species and the whole stand. Results showed that trees with different diameter classes had different spatial distribution patterns. Distribution of small trees exhibited a clustered pattern while that of the old trees had a random pattern. The results analyzed with the three pattern-testing methods all indicated that the spatial distribution of the natural Korean pine broadleaved forest displayed a clustered pattern. Pinus Koraiensis, Fraxinus mandshurica, Quercus mongolica exhibited mainly random pattern and the other species had a clustered pattern. There were some differences among three methods in testing some species, but every method had its own superiority. This study would supply theory foundation for the future forest management.

Key words: Korean pine broadleaved forest, spatial pattern, uniform index, point pattern, angle index