Abstract:
This study investigates the damage types and vulnerability of different tree species under freezing rain disasters, reveals the relationship between tree biological characteristics and disaster resistance capabilities, and provides a scientific basis for forest resource management, freezing rain disaster prevention, and sustainable forestry operations. By analyzing tree damage data from 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 applied to evaluate the relationship between tree characteristics and damage types, with Pearson correlation analysis exploring secondary influences. The results showed that: (1) Significant differences in damage types existed among 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 environmental factors (e.g., slope position and aspect) demonstrated correlations with 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 cultivation of freeze-sensitive species like camphor trees to mitigate overall disaster risks.