Impacts of topographic factors on spatial variability of temperate closed forest understory biomass in Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park

Subjects: Biology >> Botany >> Applied botany submitted time 2023-12-26 Cooperative journals: 《广西植物》

WANG Le MOU Pu WANG Tianming

Abstract： To investigate the impact of topography on the understory biomass, this study employed a nested design and conducted surveys in the Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, involving a total of 138 plots within closed forests, comprising 1 685 plant quadrats. The analysis of the effect of topography on understory biomass was carried out using nested analysis of variance and an ordinal logistic regression model. The results showed: (1) Among different slope positions, the biomass of understory in valleys was higher than on upper slopes, and the footslopes where the understory biomass was the lowest (P < 0.01). The biomass of understory on shaded slopes was lower than on sunny slopes and flat terrain (P < 0.01), with no significant difference between the latter two. In terms of different slope gradients, the biomass of understory on steep slopes was higher than on moderate slopes, and moderate slopes had higher biomass than gentle slopes (P < 0.01). (2) There was a significant interaction between slope position and aspect. The biomass of understory was highest on flat terrain at the foot slope, flat terrain on upper slopes, sunny slopes, and in valleys among all slope positions. There was no significant difference in biomass among shaded slopes, sunny slopes, and shaded slopes on upper slopes. (3) Logistic regression analysis of the current state of the study area showed that the probability of high or low understory biomass varied across different combinations of elevation, slope position, and slope aspect. Slope position, aspect, and gradient had significant effects on the biomass of understory. Among the three slope positions, the biomass was highest in valley and lowest on foot slopes. Among the three slope gradients, steep slopes had the highest biomass, while gentle slopes had the lowest. Shaded slopes had the lowest biomass compared to other slope aspects. (4) Considering the realistic situation of human disturbance and forest grazing, steep slope areas in valleys had the highest probability of high understory biomass. This study can provide important references for accurately estimating the carrying capacity of understory for preys populations of tiger and leopard in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, thereby offering a scientific basis for the conservation and management of endangered tigers and leopards.

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