Aims The objective is to obtain information on the spatial distribution and changes of forest biomass and carbon reserves to reveal patterns, discuss factors that drive change and analyze the environment of the forest.
Methods Remote sensing information models were used to estimate forest biomass in Changbai Mountain of Heilongjiang based on remote sensing data and forest resource inventory data for four periods: the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and early 21st century. Then temporal and spatial changes of forest biomass with elevation, slope and slope aspect were analyzed.
Important findings Forest biomass in the four periods listed above averaged 81.56, 44.27, 48.27 and 54.82 t·hm^-2, respectively. The total forest biomass in these periods was 5.37 × 10 ⁸, 2.83 × 10 ⁸, 3.06 × 10 ⁸ and 3.46 × 10 ⁸ t, respectively. Both variables initially decreased and then increased from the 1970s to the early 21st century. This pattern of change was consistent for forest biomass changes with elevation, slope and slope aspect in the four periods. The proportion of forest biomass in elevations of 200-400 m is about 35% and in slopes of 5°-15° is close to 50%. The proportion of forest biomass was about 7%-19% at southern and southwestern aspects and about 28% in plains.