A Structural Equation Model Suggests That Soil Physical Properties Had the Greatest Negative Influence on the Competition Index of Dominant Trees of Pinus sylvestris var. Mongolia

This study was conducted in a Pinus sylvestris var. Mongolia plantation within the Xiaotaojiagou watershed of Winter Olympic venues (Chongli competition area) to explore influence forest growth factors, soil physical properties, nutrients, and other factors on index (CI) dominant trees plantation. A 20 m × sample square established every 300 m, total plots were set. The Hegyi single-tree model structural equation (SEM) used analyze tree CI its association with factor, nutrient content, properties. showed decreasing trend increases Soil properties had greatest CI, significant negative correlation (p < 0.05) effect −0.91. results indicate that is sensitive changes chemical as well indicators such diameter at breast height, crown width mongolica.