Mortality and Early Growth of Q, acuta Seedlings Response to Thinning on Natural Quercus acuta Stands in Wando, Jeonnam Province

摘要

For sustainable management of Quercus acuta stands, it is important to know how forest practice affects on natural regeneration of Q. acuta Thinning is one of the most effective management techniques for forest improvement and successful natural regeneration This study was carried out to examine the response of mortality and early growth of Q. acuta seedlings in natural Q. acula stands in Wando, leonnam Province Mortality of Q. acuta seedlings showed different patterns between natural unthinned Q. acuta and thinned Q. acuta stands In the thinned stand, mortality of seedlings differed significantly among different height and dianieter classes, higher mortality was shown at lower height and root collar diameter classes. However, similat mortality wasobserved in unthinned Q. acuta stand in all classes Mean height and root collar diameter of total Q. acuta seedlings increased for three to four years after thinning and then slightly decreased in 2003 and 2004 But, advance regeneration continuously increased and upper 10% height class rapidly increased. In unthinned stand, higher absolute growth rate(AGR) and relative growth rate(RGR) of root collar diameter and height were shown at lower height and root collar diameter classes On the other hand, AGR increased with tree size and RGR was relatively constant among trees of different classes except the lowest class in thinned stand.