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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2026, Vol. 62 ›› Issue (5): 69-79.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.LYKX20250344

• Research papers • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Identification of the Influencing Factors on the Regeneration Quantity of Natural Forests in the Central Part of Daxing’anling Mountains Based on Random Forest

Dongyuan Tian,Zhaogang Liu,Lichun Jiang,Lingbo Dong*()   

  1. Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management of Ministry of Education College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University Harbin 150040
  • Received:2025-05-29 Revised:2026-03-10 Online:2026-05-10 Published:2026-05-12
  • Contact: Lingbo Dong E-mail:farrell0503@126.com

Abstract:

Objective: This study aims to explore and identify key factors influencing the quantity of natural forest regeneration by developing a random forest model, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the sustainable management of natural forests in the central of Daxing’anling region. Method: Based on the survey data from 96 standard sample plots in Cuigang forest farm, Xinlin forest farm, and Zhuangzhi forest farm under the Xinlin Forestry Bureau, 29 basic indicators were selected across six categories: stand characteristics, site conditions, soil conditions, tree size diversity, species diversity, and stand spatial structure. Poisson model, negative binomial model, and random forest regression model were used to construct regeneration quantity models for Larix gmelinii and Betula platyphylla. After model optimization, the OOB permutation method was used to evaluate the contribution of each predictor variable to the regeneration quantities of L. gmelinii and B. platyphylla. Result: The ten-fold cross-validation test showed that the accuracy of the random forest regeneration prediction model was significantly higher than that of the Poisson model and the negative binomial model. The root mean square error ( RMSE) was 482 and 682 tree·hm?2, and mean absolute error (MAE) was 377 and 460 tree·hm?2 for L. gmelinii and B. platyphylla, respectively. The OOB permutation method identified the most important variables for L. gmelinii regeneration as: Shannon index of diameter at breast height (DBH) (17.57%), Pielou’s evenness index of DBH (16.88%), stand volume per unit area (13.29%), Simpson index of DBH (12.92%), and mean DBH (12.91%). For B. platyphylla, the key variables were: Shannon index of DBH (18.53%), Pielou’s evenness index of DBH (16.13%), herbaceous cover (12.62%), mean DBH (12.34%), and shrub cover (11.31%). Conclusion: Tree size diversity and stand density are key factors influencing regeneration. Nurturing harvesting or replanting strategies can ensure scientific and reasonable stand density, thereby promoting natural regeneration and supporting the ecological succession of forest ecosystems.

Key words: screening of characteristic variables, random forests, regeneration, quantity prediction model

CLC Number: