[Application of 3D visualization software in forest ecosystem management in eastern Liaoning mountainous region]

By using 3D visualization software WCS 6.0, the virtual forest landscape of Pulepu Town in eastern Liaoning mountainous region was constructed, and the dynamic changes of forests under four different management scenarios, i.e., enclosing undeveloped forest, small area clear-cutting, selective-logging, and two-step progressive logging, were modeled. The results showed that under enclosure, 10-30 years old Larix olgensis var. changpaiensis grew faster (ca. 0.6 m x a(-1)), while 10-30 years old Quercus mongolica grew slower (ca. 0.4 m x a(-1)). Small area clear-cutting had the greatest effects on the forests, followed by two-step progressive logging, and low intensity selective-logging. The WCS software could visually display the outcomes of different scenarios, which would benefit the decision-making in forest management.