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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2025, Vol. 61 ›› Issue (7): 192-207.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.LYKX20240116

• Research papers • Previous Articles    

Growth Response of Black Locust Plantations to Site Quality and Stand Density on the Loess Plateau of China

Pingping Li1,2,Yanhui Wang1,*(),Pengtao Yu1,Yirui Wang1,2,Wenbiao Duan2,Yanfang Wan1,Xiaocha Wei1,Zaijun Shi3   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment of National Forestry and Grassland Administration Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry Beijing 100091
    2. College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University Harbin 150040
    3. Guanshan Forest Farm, Jingchuan County, Pingliang City, Gansu Province Jingchuan 744306
  • Received:2024-02-26 Online:2025-07-20 Published:2025-07-25
  • Contact: Yanhui Wang E-mail:wangyh@caf.ac.cn

Abstract:

Objective: This study aims to investigate the response of main growth parameters (mean tree height, mean DBH, and stand volume) of Robinia pseudoacacia plantations on the Loess Plateau of China to forest age, stand density and site index (SI) , and to establish multi-factor coupling growth models for providing scientific basis of sustainable management of R. pseudoacacia plantations in this study region. Method: Based on the data of sample plots collected from the field surveys in 2021—2022 and literature, the response relations and corresponding function types of mean tree height and mean DBH to the single-factors of forest age, stand density and site index were determined using the upper envelope line method. Then, a framework of multi-factor coupling growth models was established by a continuous multiplication of these function types, and the multi-factor coupling growth models of mean tree height and DBH were calibrated and verified using 3/4 and 1/4 of sample plots data. Thereafter, the growth model of stand volume was re-calibrated based on the model calculated data of mean tree height and DBH, and used to the scenario analysis of stand density management. Result: 1) Both the mean tree height and DBH increase first rapidly and then slowly with rising forest age; With rising stand density, the mean tree height decreases first slowly and then rapidly, while the DBH decreases first rapidly and then slowly; With rising SI, both the mean tree height and DBH increase near linearly. 2) The established growth models of mean tree height, DBH, and stand volume by coupling the effects of multiple factors (SI, forest age, and stand density) have high fitness (R2 = 0.73, 0.67, 0.71). 3). The mean tree height, DBH and stand volume under different SI, stand density, and forest age were simulated and analyzed, and then management strategies of R. pseudoacacia plantations with different site conditions were proposed. At poor sites (SI < 7.5 m) and medium sites (SI = 7.5?12.5 m), only small sized timber (DBH < 13 cm) can be produced with lower stand volume. Therefore, it is recommended that the dominant function of forests at poor sites should be soil conservation, hydrological regulation, or other ecological services, but a low priority should be given to the function of timber production; while the recommended dominant function of forests at medium sites should be still soil conservation or hydrological regulation, but giving consideration to the timber production functions. At fertile sites (SI ≥ 12.5 m), small sized timber can be produced before the forest age of 40 years, while medium sized timber (DBH = 13?21 cm) can be produced at the forest age of 50 years with higher stand volume. Therefore, the recommended dominant function of forests at fertile sites is timber production, while considering the functions of soil conservation, hydrological regulation, and other ecological services. Conclusion: The growth of R. pseudoacacia plantations on the Loess Plateau is influenced by both site quality and stand structure. The established growth models coupling multi-factors (SI, stand density, and forest age) can accurately predict and explain the growth response of R. pseudoacacia plantations to density regulation under different site conditions, and formulate different management strategies accordingly, to guide the sustainable management of R. pseudoacacia plantations.

Key words: Robinia pseudoacacia plantation, multifactor-coupling growth model, site index, stand density, Loess Plateau

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