Species Diversity of Understory Vegetation in Korean Pine Plantations

Authors Liu Tong; Hu Dan; Wei Xiaoxue; Li Ming; Wang Heng; Zhou Zhiqiang; Yan Shanchun

Journal Journal of North-East Forestry University , JAN 5 2002,1:766

DOI 10.1016/S0378-4347(01)00416-9 PubMed 11820292

Abstract An investigation on understory vegetation in pure Korean pine plantations was conducted in Langxiang Region, Hei-longjiang Prvince. Difference in species diversity of vascular plants was analysed between different stand ages, densities and site conditions by means of Patrick abundance index, Pielou evenness index, Shannon-Wiener index and Simpson''s diversity index. Results showed that species diversity of shrulb layer appeared a parabolic curve with increasing age, and the diversity of herb layer exhibited a fluctuant cunre.In low density plantations, the diVersity indices of shrub layer were lower than those of herb laver. The diversity indices of shrub layer on sunny slope were Kgher than those on shady slope, while the indices of herb layer were just the opposite. With respect to slope position, the indices of shrub layer and herb layer both decreased from top to bottom, while the Simpson''s diversity index and Pielou evenness index of herb layer were higher on slope bottom. In general, the speciesoty diversity of understory plants in pure Korean pine plarItations is low.