Canopy Gaps Improve Landscape Aesthetic Service by Promoting Autumn Color-Leaved Tree Species Diversity and Color-Leaved Patch Properties in Subalpine Forests of Southwestern China

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The landscape aesthetic service (LAS) is a crucial ecosystem service in subalpine forests of the mountain and ravine regions of the Tibetan Plateau, especially in autumn; it can provide important ecological and economic value, improving the livelihood of the local people. Canopy gap acts as a key role in the maintenance of species diversity and forest stability and ecosystem services. However, the mechanisms and interactions of forest stability maintained by gap formations and LAS via gap dynamics are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of canopy gaps on autumn color-leaved tree species diversity (ACTSD), color-leaved patch structure attributes (CPSA), LAS, and their interactions during the autumn viewing period, and to provide a fundamental basis for the management and protection of subalpine autumn color-leaved forests (SACF). Materials and Methods: We used very high-resolution images to quantify gap characteristics and examined the effects of canopy gaps on ACTSD, CPSA, and LAS in 21 SACF plots in southwestern China. We then used path analysis to determine the relationships between these factors. Results: The number of gaps and total gap area were the key gap characteristics affecting LAS; particularly, medium canopy gaps (51–100 m2) played a more important role. The path model showed that increasing the total gap area along with the number of medium canopy gaps had direct positive effects on ACTSD, color-leaved patch diversity, and total color-leaved patch area, thus improving the LAS. Conclusions: Canopy gaps indirectly improve LAS in autumn by significantly affecting ACTSD and CPSA. Our results suggest that forest managers may be able to manipulate the numbers and proportion of medium canopy gaps to protect and preserve ACTSD and color-leaved landscapes, promoting the LAS of SACF, and in turn, ensuring the coordinated development of economic, social, and ecological benefits for the underdeveloped rural montane areas of southwestern China.