Method of evaluation of response extent of forests to disturbances and its application-A case study of Qingyuan Experimental Station of Forest Ecology,Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Based on the phenomena that disturbances for different forest types are different, an index system for evaluating the response extent of forests to disturbances (REFD) was constructed for Qingyuan Experimental Station of Forest Ecology, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Furthermore, REFD was also quantitatively evaluated for different forest types using the optimal distance method. Using the indices about diversity, productivity, stand structure, ecological function, stand health level, etc, of forest, with the broadleaf-Pinus koraiensis forest as target forest, REFD for eight existing forest types at Qingyuan Experimental Station of Forest Ecology were evaluated via the optimal distance method. The results show that REFD of the old growth forest and the broadleaf mixed forest is 0.317 8 and 0.398 9 respectively, which is the minimum among the eight forest types and with the nearest distance to the target forest. REFD for Mongolian oak forest, Fraxinus mandshurica forest, F. rhynchophylla forest and Juglans mandshuria forest is 0.426 2, 0.487, 0.498 3 and 0.501 6 respectively. However, REFD for Korean pine plantation and larch plantation is 0.635 8 and 0.686 4 respectively, which is the maximum among the eight forest types. These findings imply that the distance between the plantations and the target forest in the mountain regions of eastern Liaoning Province is the farthest.