Correlation between above-ground and below-ground biomass of 13-year-old Pinus densiflora S. et Z. planted in a post-fire area in Samcheok

Abstract

This study was carried out in order to explore and compare the correlation between each measured item of the above-ground and below-ground biomass of 13-year-old Pinus densiflora S. et Z. and prepare regression equations to identify differences of early growth characteristics on each slope aspect in the stand. The south-facing slope showed the highest above-ground and below-ground biomass, followed by the north-facing slope and ridge area. The root collar diameter showed the highest correlation between the biomass of the above-ground part and the below-ground part. In the linear regression equation on the root collar diameter and the biomass of the above-ground part and the below-ground part, the growth gradient was high in the south-facing slope and north-facing slope and low in the ridge area such that the biomass in the ridge area may well continue to be low in the future as the trees grow. The result of the study demonstrated that the differences in the growth environments associated with differences in the slope aspect had a significant influence on the early growth of trees. The results of this study further manifested the importance of the concept of slope direction in artificial forestation and could be used as preliminary data to support artificial forestation measures in the future.