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Journal of Desert Research ›› 2024, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (5): 29-40.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2024.00028

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Influence of stand structure diversity and competition on tree growth of natural Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica forest in Hulun Buir Sandy Land

Jingyao Chi1,2(), Leilei Pan3, Kwon SeMyung3, Xiao Zhang1,2, Yuheng Li1,2, Xiaohui Yang1,2, Zhongjie Shi1,2()   

  1. 1.Institute of Ecological Conservation and Restoration,Chinese Academy of Forestry,Beijing 100093,China
    2.Institute of Desertification Studies,Chinese Academy of Forestry,Beijing 100091,China
    3.Institute of Ecological Restoration,Kongju National University,Chungcheongnam -do 32439,Korea
  • Received:2024-01-04 Revised:2024-02-08 Online:2024-09-20 Published:2024-10-15
  • Contact: Zhongjie Shi

Abstract:

The natural forest of Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) plays an important role in the ecological service functions of Hulun Buir Sandy Land area in northeastern China. However, the influence of stand structural characteristics and competition on the growth of Mongolian pine in sandy land remains unclear. This paper analyzed the effects of stand structure diversity and competition on the tree growth of Mongolian pine by calculating 9 stand structure diversity indices and 46 competition indices using the whole-plot survey and dendroecological methods. The correlation analysis and multiple linear regression models were used to distinguish the role of competition and stand structure in determining tree growth. The results indicated that: (1) The tree growth is significantly modulated by the size neighborhood comparison indices, diameter differentiation indices, and Clark-Evans clumping indices. (2) Competition is an important factor in regulating tree growth, with growth rate decreasing as competition intensity increases. (3) Competition, stand structure (diameter differentiation index) and tree characteristics (height-to-diameter ratio, tree crown width) jointly controlled the growth of sandy Mongolian pine. The competition displayed the greatest effect on the tree growth, explaining about one third of the variability. In the future, forest managers should attach more importance to optimizing the stand structure and tree-to-tree competition to improve stand productivity.

Key words: individual tree competition, stand structure diversity, tree growth, Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica

CLC Number: