Gap Formation in Plantations in Northern Fujian Province Under Disturbance of Extreme Climate and Their Characteristics

The forest gaps formed in plantations under disturbance of extreme climate in Baozhuang Village of Shunchang County, Fujian Province were surveyed to analyze the distribution and characteristics of the gaps formed in plantations. The results showed that in the plantations in Baozhuang Village, tree falling was the most common reason for gap formation, accounting for 32.98%, followed by uprooting, which accounted for 27.66%. The shape of the gaps was usually irregular, the size of canopy gaps (CG) and expanded gaps (EG) was mainly in the range of 600-800m2. Most of the gaps were formed by 100-150 trees 10-15cm large in DBH, and the major tree species for the gap formation were Phyllostachys pubescens, Pinus massoniana and Cunninghamia lanceolata. Some proposals were put forward for restoration of the disaster damaged plantations based on the formation characteristics of the gaps.