Net Primary Productivity and Management Potential of Artificial Pinus tabulaeformis Forest in Shanxi Province

The dynamic variation of net primary productivity of artificial Pinus tabulaeformis forest was studied in Shanxi Province, and potential productivity of artificial forest was predicted to provide reference for improving quality of regional forest stand. The regression equation was established by using the stratification and harvesting method with the relative growth model. Cumulative method and Thornthwaite Memorial model was used to estimate the actual and potential productivity of the forest. The productivity of P. tabulaeformis forest increased with the increase of age and started decrease with the mature period. The actual productivity of P. tabulaeformis forest was 4.462 t/(ha•a); the contribution rate of trees was 72.17% of the total productivity, and with the increase of age, the total biomass increased but productivity decreased at late near-mature forest; the contribution rate of herb layer was 21.16% in the young forest stage, and then decreased gradually. On the contrary, the contribution rate of shrub layer increased gradually, and the contribution rate of the grassland was more than that of the herb layer, so as the key period of structural management; the average potential productivity of forest was 8.422 t/(ha•a), and the potential space of P. tabulaeformis was at least 32% in Shanxi Province. In conclusion, the potential space of productivity of P. tabulaeformis was at least 32%, and the primary limiting factor of P. tabulaeformis forest productivity in Shanxi Province was rainfall.