%A %T Study on the Influence of Plot Area Size on Estimation of Stand Density and Analysis of Patterns of Natural Forests %0 Journal Article %D 2007 %J Science & Technology Review %R %P 40-46 %V 25 %N 0709 %U {http://www.kjdb.org/CN/abstract/article_1243.shtml} %8 2007-05-10 %X Data from 4 100 m×100 m natural forest plots were used to estimate tree number per hectare and basal area based on plot sizes, the difference between estimated and actual values was calculated. Then a uniform angle index and a pair-correlation function were used to analyze the spatial patterns of trees in forest plots with varying sizes. It is shown that both the spatial and non-spatial structure indices of forest are related to plot sizes. Both densities and patterns become stabilized with increasing plot sizes, indicating that stand densities and forest patterns should be estimated or analyzed with data from big enough plots. According to our study, 2 500 m2 is appropriate for either the estimation of stand densities or analysis of forest patterns.