[Spatial heterogeneity of natural regeneration in a spruce-fir mixed broadleaf-conifer forest in Changbai Mountains].

ABSTRACT

Based on fieldwork on a plot of 60 m x 60 m in the Changbai Mountain area of Northeast China in August 2012, the spatial distribution pattern and heterogeneity of natural regeneration in the spruce-fir mixed broadleaf-conifer forest were analyzed using semi-variograms, fractal dimensions and Kriging interpolation methods. The results showed that Abies nephrolepis and Acer mono were the most common regeneration species, accounting for 87.4% of the total. The regeneration seedlings and saplings presented an aggregate distribution pattern with the biggest radius of 9.93 m. Distinct spatial autocorrelation existed among regeneration seedlings and saplings, with 88.7% of variation coming from structure factors (biological and ecological properties and environmental heterogeneity) and 11.3% from random factors. The spatial distribution of the regeneration seedlings and saplings presented anisotropy, with the smallest fractal dimension and strongest spatial heterogeneity from north to south, and the highest fractal dimension and weakest spatial heterogeneity from northeast to southwest. The spatial heterogeneity of heights of seedlings and saplings was greater than that of root collar diameters. The distance of spatial autocorrelation for tree root collar diameters was 29.97 m, and that for heights was 31.86 m. Random factors and structure factors were found to contribute equally to the spatial heterogeneity.