Population structure and dynamic prediction of Pinus sylvestrisformis listed at first-class state protected plant in Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve, northeastern China

Pinus sylvestrisform is population was investigated by the typical sampling survey method in Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve to reveal the living conditions of natural P. sylvestrisformis, which was listed at first class national protected plant, and population size and age structure was analyzed. Meanwhile, the population dynamics in the future was predicted by using time sequence model. Results showed that there were 36 293 individuals estimated in the nature reserve, distributing in the following 6 plant communities: Quercus mongolica, Abies nephrolepis-P. sylvestrisformis, Betula platyphylla, B. platyphylla-A. nephrolepis, P. koraiensis-P. Sylvestrisformis and Larix olgensis-Picea jezoensis. The differential degree among P. sylvestrisformis individuals was obvious in the B. Platyphylla community. As to age structure, individuals of age classI, II, III, IV and V existed together. Most of individuals were at age class I, accounting for 64.29% of total, but the ones above V relatively lacked in the B. Platyphylla community. There were a small amount of individuals of age class I and II lived in B. latyphylla-A. nephrolepis community. In the rest of the 4 plant communities, individuals above age class Vwere dominant, while those of class I, II and III were insufficient. After 30 or 60 years, the P. sylvestrisformis individuals of age classII, III in the B. platyphylla community would gain the potential recovery capability. Future more, 90 or 150 years later, those above class IV would increase, and the population would keep stable. For other 5 plant communities, the P. Sylvestrisformis population would present the decline trend, showing increase of individuals of age class V and above, while the decrease of class IV and below. To well protect P. Sylvestrisformis population and maintain its stability and growth, specific conservation measurements should be put into effect by creating environments suitable for individuals of every age class, considering to the characteristics not only 6 plant communities but also the P. Sylvestrisformis population construction.