Evaluation of a sustainable forest utilization program for broadleaved Korean pine mixed forests in the Changbai Mountain region of Northeast China

Abstract

China忆s Natural Forest Conservation Program was launched in 1998. Since then, a harvesting model based on logging broadleaved species while retaining Pinus koraiensis has been widely applied in the Changbai Mountain region of Northeast China. The primary goal of this model is to promote the return of degraded secondary forests to primary broadleaved Korean pine mixed forests (BKFs). However, because of differences in tree species composition among secondary forests, this harvest model has led to a decrease in timber resources in some parts of the region. In order to explore a sustainable utilization program for BKFs, we simulated the dynamics of total timber stocks under different harvest scenarios. We selected five secondary 1鄄hm 2 BKF plots, which had been established in 2007 in the area administered by the Lushuihe Forestry Bureau. In these plots, Pinus koraiensis accounted for approximately 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 60% of the gross volume. We divided each plot into 25 subplots, each measuring 20 m伊20 m. Within these plots, we identified and