Examining effects of past volcanic eruptions on forests of the Changbai Mountain with in situ and remote sensing observations

In this study we employed intensive field investigation augmented by remote sensing data to reveal the impacts of past volcanic eruptions on spatial distribution and succession status of forest ecosystems in the Changbai Mountain Natural Reserve (CMNR). We processed the time series Landsat multispectral and IKONOS high spatial resolution imagery data to map forest types and spatial distributions. We obtained slope/aspect/elevation information from SRTM digital elevation model data. The SRTM and derivative topography information provide guidance and reference to differentiate vertical vegetation zones in the core area of the CMNR. We focused more on the spruce-fir forests and the very unique and representative sub-alpine birch (Betula ermanii) forests. The trend of B. ermanii colonizing into tundra zone and the species changes within and between vegetation zones indicate that the forest ecosystems within the CMNR are in different stages of succession after historical volcanic disturbances. Vegetation maps derived from remote sensing data confirmed the variations of forests and help gain insights for understanding the spatial and temporal characteristics of the forest ecosystems and the biodiversity that the ecosystems support in such a unique geographical region.