Short-Term Effects of the Management Intensities on Structure Dynamic in Monoculture Forests of Southern Subtropical China

Abstract

Conversion from timber-dominated forestry to forest ecosystem management needs a rational management intensity to manage forest structure, which should be decided upon by managers and scientists as well as stakeholders. However, few studies have attempted to quantify optimal silvicultural measures for forest management intensity. Here, we examined the short-term effect of light and heavy management intensities on structure dynamics (tree composition, diversity, volumes and slenderness) in monoculture forests of southern subtropical China. Species diversity was generally lower in the heavy-intensity forests than in the light-intensity forests. The range in diameters was larger in the logged forest compared to control ones. The stand volume varied greatly between management intensities. Though higher trunk slenderness value (>80) indicates higher susceptibility to meteorological disturbance such as wind storm and heavy snow, trunk slenderness in the control and the heavy-intensity plots increased significantly compared to that in the light-intensity plot. These results suggest that stand structure dynamic are influenced by different management intensities. We conclude that light-intensity management enhances the richness and affects their patterns of diversity, and heavy-intensity management promotes an increase in understory diversity and regeneration but deficits in volumes and basal areas. In summary, we provide insights beyond traditional studies on different management intensities and levers to sustainable development of forestry. Our study also emphasises the importance for forest managers' understanding between management and conservation of monoculture forest. Nevertheless, variation in structure response to management intensity calls for careful consideration in future strategies, not only of which structure to favor during operations, but also, of how the treatments are applied.