Effects of Selective Harvesting and Clear-Cutting on Community Structure, Volume and Biomass of Korean Pine and Broadleaf Mixed Forest in Changbai Mountain

Deforestation is one of the most important disturbance of forest ecosystems. The tree harvesting methods generally includes selective logging and clear logging; and selective logging intensity generally includes mild, moderate and severe selective logging. This study analyzed effects of different logging intensity (primary forest (PF), 15% selective harvesting forest (15HF), 40% selective harvesting forest (40HF) and clear-cutting forest (CF)) on tree species composition, plots volume, plots biomass. Results showed that (1) the species composition of 15HF, 40HF were similar to that of PF, but CF had significantly different species composition from them. (2) The volume of the four were 15HF > PF > 40HF > CF. The volume between PF and 15HF was not significantly different, but 40HF and CF had significantly different volumn from PF and 15HF. (3) The biomass of the four forests were PF > 15HF > 40HF > CF. After recovery of nearly 30 years from harvesting, the stronger the harvesting intensity was, the less biomass the forest had. For sustainable timber production from regional forests, the 15% selective harvesting was appropriate. At the same time, Korean pine should be considered to be re-harvested.