Assessment and Prediction of Stand Yield in Cryptomeria japonica Stands

• Published in: Journal of Korean Forestry Society Vol. 10; no. 3
• Main Authors: Son, Y.M., Korea Forest Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Kang, J.T., Korea Forest Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Hwang, J.S., Korea Forest Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Park, H., Korea Forest Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Lee, K.S., Korea Forest Research Institute, Jinju, Republic of Korea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 01.09.2015
• Subjects: CHAMAECYPARIS OBTUSA; CRYPTOMERIA JAPONICA; Stand yield table,carbon stocks and removals
• ISSN: 0445-4650

The objective of this paper is to look into the growth of Cryptomeria japonica stand in South Korea along with the evaluation on their yields, followed by their carbon stocks and removals. A total of 106 sample plots were selected from Jeonnam, Gyeongnam, and Jeju, where the groups of standard are grown. We only used 92 plots data except outlier. As part of the analysis, the Weibull diameter distribution was applied. In order to estimate the diameter distribution, the growth estimation equation for each of the growth factors including the height, the diameter at breast height, and the basal area was drafted out and the verification for each equation was examined. The site index for figuring out the forest productivity of Cryptomeria japonica stand for each district was also developed as a Schumacher model and 30yr was used as a reference age for the estimation of the site index. It was found that the site index for Cryptomeria japonica stand in South Korea ranges from 10 to 16 and this result was used as a standard for developing the stand yield table. According to the site 14 in the stand yield table, the mean annual increment (MAI) of the Cryptomeria japonica reaches 7.6 m3/ha on its 25yr and its growing stock is estimated to be at 190.1 m3/ha. This volume is about 20 m3 as high as that of the Chamaesyparis obtusa. Furthermore, the annual carbon absorptions for a Cryptomeria japonica stand reached the peak at 25yr, which is 2.14 tC/ha/yr, 7.83 tCO2/ha/yr. When compared to the other conifers, this rate is slightly higher than that of a Chamaecyparis obtusa (7.5 tCO2/ha/yr) but lower than that of the Pinus koraiensis (10.4 tCO2/ha/yr) and Larix kaempferi (11.2 tCO2/ha/yr). With such research result as a base, it is necessary to come up with the ways to enhance the utilization of Cryptomeria japonica as timbers, besides making use of their growth data.