The evaluation of ecological attributes in a natural deciduous forest using point-centered quarter method

Abstract

This study examined the ecological attributes of a natural deciduous forest using a point-centered quarter method. Seventy two points were selected randomly to investigate the vegetation. The woody species of DBH≤6 cm (first group) and DBH>6 cm (second group) were analyzed separately. The result showed that the forest had comparatively high species diversity. The first group was dominated by Lindera obtusiloba with an importance value of 24.0% and the second group was dominated by Quercus variabilis with an importance value of 41.9%. The population of Pinus koraiensis in the first group had an inverse J-shaped density distribution along the DBH class. For the inter-species association, Lindera obtusiloba had a significant positive association with Betula davurica, Quercus dentata and Quercus variabilis; Lindera obtusiloba had a significant negative association with Styrax obassia and Quercus mongolica; Styrax obassia had a significant negative association with Quercus variabilis and Betula davurica; and Styrax obassia had a significant positive association with Quercus mongolica. © 2009 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.