[Forest biomass and its dynamics in Pearl River Delta]

Based on the observation data obtained from 69 sampling sites of different age class forests, and by using biomass expansion factor function, the regression equations of stand biomass and volume of the main forest types in Pearl River Delta were built, and the regional forest biomass and its dynamics were estimated on the basis of forest inventory data. The results showed that most of the forests in Pearl River Delta were of young-medium age, which occupied 80% or more of the total forest area, and their undergrowth biomass accounted for about 33% of the total forest biomass, indicating that the regional forest biomass could be estimated more exactly if undergrowth biomass was fully concerned. In the periods of 1989-1993, 1994-1998 and 1999-2003, the forest biomass in Pearl River Delta increased by 14. 67 x 10(6) t in total, among which, Pinus massoniana forest, evergreen broadleaf forest, and conifer and deciduous mixed forest contributed about 80%. Young-medium age forest biomass accounted for 90% of the total, but the proportion was decreased gradually. The forest area in the Delta almost kept unvaried, and the forest biomass was increasing year after year, with an annual increment of about 1.2%. Better fostering and managing the existing forests is very important to have more forest biomass and better environmental effect that regional forests offered.