Optimization of pine stand density in the Eastern Cis-Baikalia

Abstract

The issues of optimizing density of pine stands growing in the Eastern Cis-Baikal region are considered in the article. In the conditions of light coniferous mountain taiga and pine-subtaiga high-altitude complexes, a survey was carried out of the compartments selectively felled with different intensity and control areas unaffected by logging. The dependence of growth of a stem diameter on the quantity of resources accessible to a tree is revealed. As an indicator of the provision of a tree by the resources, the dominance area (DA) was calculated taking into account the stem diameter and growth conditions. It is shown that at the age of 100–120 years, pine trees are able to develop additional resources available after logging, which is manifested, among other things, in the increase of annual radial growth. The estimations of the resource distribution between trees in the stand have been obtained and DAs calculated. These characteristics ensure stable growth rate of trees in stem diameter and the formation of a well-developed crown. The proposed approach can be used to develop the tables of optimum density of pine stands in the f conditions of growing forests of the Eastern Cis-Baikal region at different age stages of the formation of protective forests. After carrying out logging operations in pine stands of a certain age, the number of trees corresponding to the calculated values of optimum density should be left.

Keywords

• altitudinal-belt complex
• selective thinning
• dominating area
• tree stand
• current radial increment
• optimal denseness