Structural and compositional responses to timber harvesting for an old-growth forest on Changbai Mountain, China – Short Communication

Broadleaved-Korean pine (<I>Pinus koraiensis</I>) mixed forest is a dominant native vegetation type in the eastern Eurasian Continent. We intended to examine the implications of high-intensity timber harvesting (ca 70% of stand volume) for the sustainable management of a mixed forest ecosystem. We measured trees at three sites: control without cutting, older-cut site cut in 1987 and newer-cut site (cutting in 1997). There were significant differences in structure and composition between these three sites in 2003. There were 4,441 trees of 14 species with basal area 56 m² at control plot, 6,314 trees of 16 species with basal area 9 m² at newer-cut site and 8,438 trees of 21 species with basal area 31 m² at older-cut site (all on the area of 1 ha). The high-intensity timber harvesting system helped promote natural regeneration and the growth of small trees but it also allowed light-demanding tree species to invade into the forest. Dominant position and suitable diameter distribution of economically important species (<I>Pinus koraiensis</I> and <I>Tilia amurensis</I>) were maintained across the three sites. The existing timber harvesting appears to consider short-term economic values to a larger extent than long-term ecological values. To manage the broadleaved-Korean pine mixed forest for both timber production and biodiversity conservation, timber-harvesting intensity must be lowered.