Forest inventory assessment of naturally regenerated young pine tree stand

Abstract

In 2007–2014 on the permanent sample plot (PSP) in Krasnoyarsk suburban young pine forest (forest-steppe zone of Central Siberia), annual inventory characteristics were estimated. PSP area was 0.024 ha. In 2007 the average age of pine young forest was 7 years; 413 trees with height more than 1.3 m, including 412 living trees and 1 dead tree were measured. Since 2007 the parameters of each tree were measured every year. The diameter at the height of 1.3 m (D1,3), the tree height (H), the category of vital state (by a 6-grade scale of the Forest Health Regulation of the Russian Federation) were determined. The stem volume (V) of each tree was estimated using regression equation including the variables: V, D1,3, H. Parameters of the equation were calculated by sample trees, measured in 2007 and 2014. The timber stock was determined as the sum of stem volumes of the separate trees. At early stage of pine tree stand formation, the form factor (f) in young pine growth exceeded 1. During 2007–2014 average diameter increased from 1.8 to 5.3 cm, average height – from 2.3 to 6.2 m, timber stock of the growing trees – from 16 to 128 m3 /ha, dead timber stock of the dead trees – from 0 to 1 m3/ha. In 2007 density of more than 17 thousand trees per ha was registered. The maximum density of more than 18 thousand trees per ha was registered in 2009. In the next years, this indicator monotonically decreased. In 2014 density was less than 15 thousand trees per ha. The increase in density is due to increase in the number of trees, with height more than 1.3 m, the decrease – by phytocoenotic stress and felling. In 2007 the category of the tree stand vital state was near 1. In 2014 the category was 1.3. Condition of the young pine tree stand naturally regenerated at arable land after ground fire might be estimated as very good. This young stand is prospective to form high-density pine forest in the absence of creeping fires.

Keywords

• Scots pine Pinus sylvestris
• 7–14 years old pine tree stand
• natural reforestation
• thinning
• permanent sample plot
• Krasnoyarsk
• Central Siberia