• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.99 no.1
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• pp.153-162
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• 2010

Abies holophylla Maxim. is a shade tolerant species that has potential to be used for continuous cover forestry system. Stand structure and natural regeneration of A. holophylla stands in Yong-In area located in the central part of Korea was investigated to estimate the self sustainability of A. holophylla plantation. Species composition, diameter at breast height (DBH) and height distribution of trees larger than 2 cm DBH were measured in ten stands in three study sites of Jeongsu-ri, Daedae-ri, and Hodong. Species and coverage of shrub layer, and A. holophylla seedlings were also investigated. While A. holophylla in non-managed stands (Jengsuri and Daedae-ri study sites) had the importance value of 40% and showed continuous diameter and age distribution, A. holophylla in Hodong site had narrow bell-shaped DBH distribution mostly concentrating between 25-35 cm DBH classes, and single canopy structure. Abies holophylla stands in Hodong have experienced occasional thinning and selective cutting. The correlation coefficient between age-DBH was significant but low ($R^2$=0.2, P=0.03), and similar aged A. holophylla had diverse DBH values. Continuos DBH distribution and multi-canopy structure of A. holophylla stands in Jeongsu-ri site show that natural regeneration of A. holophylla has been continuously occurred in this area. Seedling density of A. holophylla was between 2000 and 33000/ha, however, the number of trees in 2-5 cm DBH class was only 40-150 trees/ha, implying that the survival rate of seedlings is not high. Continuous natural regeneration and 0.6 cm/year of diameter growth rate of A. holophylla indicate that this area could be an appropriate habitat for this species, and A. holophylla plantation in this region seem to persist suggesting the possibility of managing the stands for continuous cover forestry system as well as selective harvesting practices.