EFFECTS OF NATURAL FIRE DISTURBANCE ON STRUCTURE OF TREE SPECIES IN KANAS TOURISM DISTRICT, XINJIANG, CHINA

Abstract

Aims Forest fires are widespread disturbance factors in most forest ecosystems. The structure and function of forest ecosystems have a close relationship with fire disturbance. Exploring the effects of natural fire disturbance is important for understanding forest succession. Our objective was to study the effects of fire disturbance on the structure of tree species in the Kanas tourism district to explain the role of natural fire disturbance in forest dynamics. Methods We recorded the height and quantity of each tree species in 78 plots of 30 m × 30 m dimensions in the Kanas tourism district. The dates of fire disturbance were determined by fire scars. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Important findings Stands with and without natural fire disturbance had different tree structure. Forest seasonal structure and tree composition were affected by natural fire disturbance, and the indexes of tree structure were higher in disturbed plots than that in undisturbed plots. Moreover, the proportion of tree species and tree species richness were significantly different for eight different periods of fire disturbances (p0.01). Fire disturbance was one of the main factors controlling structure of tree species.