Effects of logging intensity on structure and composition of a broadleaf-Korean pine mixed forest on Changbai Mountains, northeast China

In order to identify a harvesting model which is beneficial for broadleaf-Korean pine mixed forest (BKF) sustainability, we investigated four types of harvested stands which have been logged with intensities of 0 (T0, control), 15% (T1, low intensity), 35% (T2, moderate intensity), and 100% (T3, clear-cutting), and examined the impacts of logging intensity on composition and structure of these stands. Results showed that there were no significant differences between T0 and T1 for all structural characteristics, except for density of seeding and large trees. The mean diameter at breast height (DBH, 1.3 m above the ground), stem density and basal area of large trees in T2 were significantly lower than in T0, while the density of seedlings and saplings were significantly higher in T2 than in T0. Structural characteristics in T3 were entirely different from T0. Dominant tree species in primary BKF comprised 93%, 85%, 45% and 10% of the total basal area in T0, T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Three community similarity indices, the Jaccard′s similarity coefficient (CJ); the Morisita-Horn index (CMH); and the Bray-Curtis index (CN), were the highest for T0 and T1, followed by T0 and T2, and T0 and T3, in generally. These results suggest that effects of harvesting on forest composition and structure are related to logging intensities. Low intensity harvesting is conductive to preserving forest structure and composition, allowing it to recover in a short time period. The regime characterized by low logging intensity and short rotations appears to be a sustainable harvesting method for BKF on the Changbai Mountains.