Structural characteristics of Liquidambar formosana for a mixed coniferous-broadleaf forest in Mount Tianmu

To provide a theoretical basis for Liquidambar formosana protection,management,and landscape construction in a mixed coniferous,broadleaf forest in National Nature Reserve of Mount Tianmu,ten sample plots were established for a stand survey.Diameter at breast height(DBH),tree height,and crown breadth were studied and fit to a Weibull distribution function.All tree parts and diameter classes of L.formosana biomass were measured using a single tree biomass model,and then analyzed.Density and spatial distribution patterns were also determined.Results showed that DBH,tree height,and crown breadth structure were in accordance to the forest management objectives,and fit the Weibull distribution function well.Trunk and root biomass accounted for 91.4% of the total biomass with biomass for all diameter classes being uneven.Distribution curves for trunk and root biomass were similar,and all crown breadth biomass was symmetrical.In all sample plots,variation of the density coefficient for L.formosana was 0.625,and all sample plot means for neighborhood patterns were greater than 0.517.Thus,the density coefficient showed large regional differences in distribution,and neighborhood patterns showed that tree distribution was clumped.