Abstract:

Trend surface analysis is a method commonly used in community and population ecology. In this paper, it was used to analyze the distribution of landscape elements along environmental gradients in Jinggouling forest region, Jilin Province. The results of this application showed that, at the spatial scale of the study area, horizontal geographical position as a determinant of the spatial pattern of landscape elements does not impact significantly on the spatial pattern of complex secondary forest mosaics. In contrast, aspect, slope and altitude were found to be the dominant features controlling landscape pattern in the study area. Further, the orientation and the intensity of the controlling effects of aspect and slope in the landscape distribution pattern are differed markedly at different ranges of altitude. These differences were analyzed and discussed. Some basic rules of spatial distribution of landscape elements are proposed. It was anticipated that these rules will be of benefit to further study aimed at the enhancement of sustainable management of forest and landscape planning in the region.

Key words: trend surface analysis, landscape pattern, spatial distribution, forest landscape