Forest Biomass Dynamics in Typical Changbai Mountain Forest Area, Northeast of China

Quantifying forest biomass dynamics accurately is important not only to understanding the role of forests in global climate change but also to finding out key causes of the changes in order to enhance the carbon sequestration capacity of forest vegetation. Here, we investigated 210 sample plots to establish biomass-volume models suitable for Luishuihe forest area in Changbai Mountain. Based on the models and forest resource inventory data for management, the forest biomass in Lushuihe in 1987, 1995 and 2003 were estimated. The results showed that the forest biomass decreased from 1.599x10(7) Mg in 1987 to 1.499x10(7) Mg in 1995, and then increased to 1.559x10(7) Mg in 2003. And the forest biomass density in 1987, 1995 and 2003 was 153.553, 135.747 and 136.205 Mg ha(-1), respectively. Both of the forest biomass and biomass density first decreased, and then increased. Such temporal dynamics on forest biomass corresponded well to the changes in Chinese forest policy. And the changes of forest management measures affected the distribution of forest biomass for different forest groups, different age classes and different origin. Accordingly we presented forest management recommendations for the forest managers in the study area.