Forest Site Classification Based on NFI and DEM in Zhejiang Province

Based on national forest inventory data (NFI) in Zhejiang Province in 2009 and the digital elevation data (DEM) obtained synchronously as the data source, according to the soil type, the site type group was divided, and the slope position index and slope direction angle were used to assign the slope position and slope direction, respectively. The principal component analysis of the site factors of elevation, slope direction, slope, slope position, soil thickness, humus thickness, and litter thickness in each site type group was performed to determine the dominant site factor, and the site type was divided according to the dominant site factor. Results show that the forest site in Zhejiang Province can be divided into 7 site type groups and 400 site types, which can achieve more accurate site classification, and provide reference basis for afforestation planning, tending and renewal, and forestry ecological construction.