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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2019, Vol. 55 ›› Issue (11): 126-136.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.20191114

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The Influences of Stand Age, Planting Density and Self-Thinning on Relationship between Size Inequality and Periodic Annual Increment in Chinese Fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata)Plantations

Guijuan Yang1,Haifan Hu2,Honggang Sun2,*,Jianguo Zhang1,Aiguo Duan1   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Research Institute of Forestry, CAF Beijing 100091
    2. Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, CAF Hangzhou 311400
  • Received:2019-03-25 Online:2019-11-25 Published:2019-12-21
  • Contact: Honggang Sun
  • Supported by:
    国家重点研发计划(2016YFD0600302-2)

Abstract:

Objective: Illustrating size inequality dynamic with stand growth trajectory, will improve our knowledge about relationships between size inequality and stand productivity. Method: We examined the effects of stand age, planting density and self-thinning on size inequality and relationships between stand productivity and size inequality using Chinese fir plantations with five planting density levels(2.0 m×3.0 m, 2.0 m×1.5 m, 2.0 m×1.0 m, 1.0 m×1.5 m and 1.0 m×1.0 m)with three replications, respectively. The experimental stands were measured in winter every other year for 26 years, from 1981 to 2006. Generalized linear mixed effect models were used to examine the relationships between stand age, planting density, self-thinning, size inequality(assessed using the Gini coefficient)and stand productivity. Result: Gini coefficients, and hence size inequality, increased with stand age and planting density, and decreased with self-thinning trajectory. The onset of self-thinning reduced the rate at which size inequality increased, which resulted in a slower rate than the increase prior to the onset of self-thinning, and then increased size inequality following self-thinning trajectory. Stand productivity increased with planting density, but stand productivity declined at a greater rate(with increasing size inequality)after self-thinning had begun to occur. Stand productivity was negatively correlated with size inequality. Conclusion: Both Gini and stand productivity increased with stand age and planting density, the decreasing Gini and declining stand productivity occurred at the onset of self-thinning, both Gini and productivity increased again after the beginning of self-thinning. The stand self-thinning could modify the intra-specific competition intensity, and further changed the trajectory of size inequality and stand productivity. An understanding of the mechanisms driving the effects of self-thinning and growth on the relationships between stand productivity and size inequality may facilitate the further development of stand productivity. Meanwhile, the forest plantation silvicultural regimes of the development and enhancement of stand productivity may imitate the accurate improvement of forest quality.

Key words: size inequality, stand productivity, Chinese fir, self-thinning, Gini coefficient

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