Simulating Impact of Larch Caterpillar (Dendrolimus superans) on Fire Regime and Forest Landscape in Da Hinggan Mountains,
Northeast China

Key words: 
•  forest landscape /
• larch caterpillar /
• fire /
• disturbance /
• LANDIS model

Abstract: Larch caterpillar (Dendrolimus superans) is very common in the Da Hinggan Mountains, Northeast China, affecting fire regime
and forest ecosystem change at large spatio-temporal scales. In this study, we used a spatially explicit landscape model, LANDIS, to
simulate the changes of fire regime and forest landscape under four larch caterpillar disturbance intensity levels scenarios in Huzhong
forest area, northern of Da Hinggan Mountains. The results indicate that larch caterpillar disturbances would decrease fine fuel load and
increase coarse fuel load in the 300 simulation years. Larch caterpillar disturbances would decrease fire frequency in the first 200 years,
and the disturbances also decrease fire intensity and fire risk in the early and late stage of simulation. Larch caterpillar disturbances
would decrease the area percent of larch cohorts and increase the proportion of white birch, and increase the degree of aggregation of
white birch as a result of its strong seed dispersal and colonization ability. Disturbances would also decrease the mature and over-mature
larch cohorts and increase all cohorts of white birch, especially the mature and over-mature cohorts. Larch caterpillar disturbances will
decrease the stability of forest landscape, therefore, some measures preventing insect outbreak and ensuring the sustainable
management of forest ecosystem should been taken in the study area.