Changes in Soil Temperature, Moisture Content, Light Availability and Diameter Growth After Thinning in Korean Pine (Pinus koraiensis) Plantation

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the changes in soil temperature, soil moisture content, light availability (photosynthetically active radiation, PAR) and diameter growth in 46-year-old Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis Siebold et Zuccarini) plantation located in Gwangneung experimental forest after 4 years from thinning. Three different thinning intensities [control, 45%(T45), and 60%(T60) basal area reduction] were applied in 2004. Mean soil temperature and soil water content were and 14.3% for control, and 16.1% for T45 and and 16.1% for T60, respectively. Mean soil temperature and moisture content were significantly different among the treatment plots (p/sec, respectively and the differences were also statistically significant among the treatment plots (p