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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2023, Vol. 59 ›› Issue (7): 96-105.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.LYKX20210721

• Research papers • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Changes of Basal Area Growth of Pinus koraiensis with Tree Ages and Impact Factors in Xiaoxing’ anling Mountains, Northeast China

Haotong Ma,Guangze Jin,Zhili Liu*   

  1. Center for Ecological Research Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management of Ministry of Education Northeast Asia Biodiversity Research Center Northeast Forestry University Harbin 150040
  • Received:2021-09-22 Online:2023-07-25 Published:2023-09-08
  • Contact: Zhili Liu

Abstract:

Objective: This study was aimed to understand the age-related tree basal area growth pattern of Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis), and explore the main factors affecting the radial growth in different growth stages, in order to provide a scientific basis for understanding the importance of tree age, environmental factors and functional traits in forest development and management. Method: 65 sample trees of P. koraiensis were selected from Liangshui National Nature Reserve in Heilongjiang Province, and the radial growth of tree stems was studied using the basal area growth rate (BAGR). We determined the environmental factors (light intensity, soil nitrogen content, soil water content, soil pH) and functional traits of leaves, branches, and roots. Then we analyzed the radial growth variation and explored how tree age, environmental factors, and functional traits affect the radial growth at different growth stages. Result: 1) The BAGR of P. koraiensis first increased and then decreased with rising tree age: when the age was less than 220 years, the BAGR increased with rising tree age. When it was more than 220 years old, the BAGR decreased with rising tree age. 2) For young trees (16-100 a), tree age, light intensity and soil pH had a positive effect on BAGR, the specific leaf area of needles had a negative effect on BAGR. 3) For middle-age trees (100-220 a), soil nitrogen content and wood density (WD) significantly and negatively affected the BAGR. 4) For old trees (220-285 a), tree age significantly inhibited the BAGR, the nitrogen content of roots, the nitrogen and phosphorus content per unit mass of needles promoted the BAGR, and the effect of root nitrogen content was more significant. Conclusion: Tree age, environmental factors and functional traits jointly drive the basal area growth of P. koraiensis trees, and the relative effects change with tree age. The factors limiting tree growth change from light to soil nutrient contents and physiological factors of trees with rising age.

Key words: Pinus koraiensis, basal area, radial growth, tree age, light intensity, soil nutrients, specific leaf area

CLC Number: