Evaluating the impacts of slope aspect on forest dynamic succession in Northwest China based on FAREAST model

Abstract

Mountain forests provide the main water resources and lumber for Northwest China. The understanding of the differences in forests growing among individual slope aspects in mountainous regions is of great significance to the wise management and planning of these natural systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of slope aspect on forest dynamic succession in Northwest China by using the dynamic forest succession model (FAREAST).First, the simulated forest composition and vertical forest zonation produced by the model were compared against recorded data in three sub-regions of the Altai Mountains. The FAREAST model accurately reproduced the vertical zonation, forest composition, growth curves of the dominant species (Larix sibirica), and forest biomass in the Altai Mountains. Transitions along the forest zones of the Altai Mountains averaged about a 400 m difference between the northern and southern sites. Biomass for forests on north-facing slopes were 11.0, 15.3 and 55.9 t C ha −1 higher than for south-facing slopes in the Northeast, Central and Southeast sub-regions, respectively. Second, our analyses showed that the FAREAST model can be used to predict dynamic forest succession in Northwest China under the influence of slope and aspect. In the Altai Mountains, the north-facing slopes supported the best forest growth, followed by the west-and east-facing slopes. South-facing slopes consistently exhibited the lowest growth, biomass storage and forest diversity.

Effects of Canopy Structure on Growth and Belowground/Aboveground Biomass of Seedlings in Uneven-Aged Trojan Fir Stands

“…The knowledge on the influence of different slopes on the growth of understory seedlings is of great significance to successful forest management and planning (Hu et al, 2018). Higher solar radiation and relatively warmer and drier climate on the south-facing slopes may cause reduced tree growth and drought stress (Holland and Steyn, 1975;Måren et al, 2015)both of which are important controls on the growth behaviour, species composition and structure of its vegetation cover.…”

“…Similarly, soil properties did not vary between slope aspects, expect for potassium (highest in south-facing slopes. Hu et al (2018) examined the impacts of slope aspect on forest succession, and they found that the northern aspect provided higher height growth and biomass due to wetter climate and more soil moisture on the northern slopes. In a similar study, Sternberg and Shoshany (2001) monitored the influence of slope aspect on productivity in semiarid and arid sites in Israel, and concluded that the northern aspect presented higher productivity.…”

Ecological Factors Generally Not Altitude Related Played Main Roles in Driving Potential Adaptive Evolution at Elevational Range Margin Populations of Taiwan Incense Cedar (Calocedrus formosana)

“…Habitat-associated microclimate is also found to have a relationship with elevation (Clinton, 2003;Bell et al, 2014;Sunday et al, 2014). A single environmental factor is not always sufficient to explain local vegetation penology (Hwang et al, 2011) and it is probable that elevation, slope, and aspect in combination can have influence on tree structure and growth (Turner et al, 2001;Montoya-Pfeiffer et al, 2016;Hu et al, 2018), and increase the effects of IBE contributing to the geographic patterns of climatically and ecologically structured genetic variation.…”

Discovering Vegetation Recovery and Landslide Activities in the Wenchuan Earthquake Area with Landsat Imagery

“…Vegetation growth is mainly controlled by temperature, water, and sunlight duration [ 33 , 34 , 35 ]. In the high mountainous area, landform factors, e.g., elevation, slope, and aspect, often have significant impacts on microclimate conditions for vegetation.…”