Abstract:Gap characteristics and disturbance regime in a dark coniferous forest in Changbai mountain areas were studied. The result showed: the linear gap density in the forest was 21 15 gaps/km, the expanded gaps occupied 29 45%, and canopy gaps occupied 15 81%. The yearly gap disturbance frequency was 0 24% and the disturbance rotation was 416 7 years. Canopy gaps varied from 17 9 to 340 3m 2 and the majority were less than 100m 2. Expanded gaps varied from 43 6 to 482 3m 2 with most between 50m 2 and...