The effects of stand spatial structure on the aboveground biomass allocation in Chinese fir () plantations.

Introduction: Chinese fir () is the fastest-growing timber species in China. investigating its spatial structure and influence on aboveground biomass allocation is crucial for understanding its adaptability to environmental conditions, enhancing carbon sequestration, and maintaining forest ecosystem stability.

Methods: In this study, airborne LiDAR technology was used to derive forest structural metrics, and weighted Voronoi diagrams were constructed to extract spatial configuration metrics. Biomass models for different components of Chinese fir were developed using 20 harvested trees, and stem mass fraction (SMF), branch mass fraction (BMF), and leaf mass fraction (FMF) were calculated. Path analysis quantified the effects of stand structure variables on biomass allocation among different organs.

Results: The openness ratio (OP), angle competition index (UCI), forest layer index (S), and openness (K) were identified as the primary spatial structural factors influencing aboveground biomass allocation. Stem biomass accumulation is maximized when 0.75 < OP ≤ 1, 0 < UCI ≤ 0.25, 0 < S ≤ 0.25, and 0.4 < K ≤ 0.5, with SMF reaching its highest value. Branch biomass peaks when 0.5 < OP ≤ 0.75, 0 < UCI ≤ 0.25, 0.75 < S ≤ 1, and 0.4 < K ≤ 0.5, maximizing BMF. Leaf biomass is highest when 0 < OP ≤ 0.25, 0.5 < UCI ≤ 0.75, 0.5 < S ≤ 0.75, and 0.2 < K ≤ 0.3, leading to the maximum FMF.

Discussion: The results of this study not only reveal the survival strategy of Chinese fir in environmental change, but also provide a theoretical basis for understanding ecosystem carbon sequestration and sustainable management of Chinese fir plantations.