Abstract:
This study investigates the damage types and vulnerability of different tree species caused by freezing rain disasters, reveals the relationship between the biological characteristics of trees and their disaster resistance capabilities, and provides a scientific basis for forest resource management, freezing rain disaster protection and sustainable forestry management. By analyzing tree damage data in Qinglongshan Forest Farm in Jiangxia District, Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China in February 2024, descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), principal component analysis (PCA), and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to evaluate the relationship between tree characteristics and damage types, and Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the secondary influences. The results showed that: (1) There were significant differences in damage types among differetn tree species.
Cinnamomum camphora (camphor tree) and
Pinus massoniana (Masson pine), with their large crown sizes and relatively fragile structures, exhibited high incidences of trunk breakage and crown breakage, while
C. lanceolata (China fir) showed prominent branch breakage but overall lighter damage severity. (2) Biological characteristics such as crown shape, branch structure, and wood density were key factors affecting freeze resistance, and there was a certain correlation between environmental factors (e.g., slope position and aspect) and tree damage. In freezing rain-prone areas, priority should be given to planting species with strong freeze tolerance and rapid recovery capacity (e.g., China fir), while reducing the planting of freeze-sensitive species like camphor trees to mitigate overall disaster risk.