文摘
A computer system for evaluating current forest state and predicting stand resistance to strong wind was tested in a case study of pine stands in the southern part of Central Siberia disturbed by a hurricane in 1994. The use of a local geographical information system (GIS) enabled determination of a combination of natural and human factors that increase the risk of windthrow. The factors were analyzed at three levels: landscape, stand, and single tree. Specific site conditions and human-caused disturbances of the natural vegetation community structure were found to be the major factors accounting for decreasing stand resistance to wind.