Regeneration Process after Disturbance of the Pinus densiflora Forest in Korea

한국 소나무림에서의 교란 후 재생과정

In order to clarify regeneration processes and mechanisms of the disturbed Pinus densiflora forest, responses of Pinus densiflora to gap formed by disturbance were analysed by growth of saplings and mature and growth equations were obtained from branch growth of mature trees and height growth of saplings, and age distribution of saplings and young trees recruited within gap was analysed in relation to gap age. Height growth of saplings within gaps was accelerated after gap formation. Such abrupt increases of growth of saplings after the gap formation might be resulted in the difference of growth of saplings between gap and non-gap areas. In fact, height and diameter of saplings in the central part of gap were larger than those of saplings in marginal parts of gap and non-gap area. However, density of saplings was not different in both parts. In addition, growth of annual rings of mature trees bordering on gap also increased after gap formation. Branch growth of mature trees bodering on gap was 6.3 - 6.5 cm /year and the mean radius of gaps created by death of only one canopy tree was about 3 m. Therefore, for those gaps to be closed by branch growth it will take 46 years. Growth of saplings within gap showed exponential equation. Fifty years will be required for the saplings to enter the forest canopy by the exponential growth equation. Therefore, gap created by only one tree might be closed by branch growth of surrounding canopy trees in advance of being done by height growth of saplings. But gaps created by death of trees more than 2 will be closed by the growth of saplings. Among the regenerating saplings and young trees within gaps, individuals established in advance of gap formation were more than those established after the gap formation. From these results, it was assumed that the disturbed Pinus densiflora forests in these sites were regenerated by height growth of saplings recruited in advance of gap formation.