Development processes and growth pattern of Pinus densiflora stands in central eastern Korea

Abstract

Stand growth and developmental processes were investigated in Pinus densiflora Siebold et Zucc. stands of different ages in the central eastern region of Korea. Stands were inventoried and five trees per stand were sampled for stem analysis, age estimation, and growth analysis. More than 80% of sampled trees in a stand were established within 3-5 years, and most stands had a single cohort structure. The initial growth of pine seedlings was slow, but the height growth accelerated beyond 2-3 m height, 5-10 years after establishment. Linear growth was maintained until 10-12 m height, at which suppressed trees fell behind and might die out. The young stand was composed of pure pines, while few pine seedlings and saplings were found in the understory of older stands. The peak of diameter growth rate occurred around 5-15 years after tree establishment, implying that competition begins during that period. The pine stand development follows four stages: (1) the young stage when the growth rate increases and peaks; (2) the height competition stage when trees focus on height growth for light while maintaining a narrow DBH and height distribution; (3) the differentiation stage when suppressed trees die out, and the DBH distribution becomes wider; and (4) the mature stage when stands have a multi-canopy structure with a wide DBH and height distribution, while the understory is dominated by other tree species. The changes in growth rates and stand structure through forest development would be implemented to predict alterations of above-ground carbon sequestration rates.

Review on the succession process of Pinus densiflora forests in South Korea: progressive and disturbance-driven succession

“…Establishment of the P. densiflora forest P. densiflora can germinate and settle at denuded sites where mineral soil is exposed and little sprouting source of broadleaved species (Lee and Chung 1998;Lee 2006;Lim 2010;Park et al 2010). The P. densiflora grows slowly and takes 5 to 10 years to grow up to 2 to 3 m high.…”

“…The P. densiflora grows slowly and takes 5 to 10 years to grow up to 2 to 3 m high. However, later, it grows exponentially and forms a cohort monospecific stand (Park et al 2010). The abandoned fields in Jinbu, Gangwon province, took about 20 to 30 years to develop into P. densiflora forests (Lee 1995c;Lee 2006).…”

“…Of these three types, the area of P. densiflora forests was the largest from the 1970s till today (KFRI 2016), which reflects that the P. densiflora settlement has been preferred. It is a light-demanding and typical pioneer species which can germinate in large quantities at even extremely denuded places in a short time to form large, single cohort secondary forests (e.g., Nakagoshi et al 1987;Keeley and Zedler 1998;Beon and Bartsch 2003;Lee 2006;Park et al 2010).…”