The Ecological Impact of Fire on the Peatland Forest in the DA Xingan Mountain, China

A major wild fire swept through the northern part of Da Xingan mountains of China between May 6 and June 2, 1987. After the fire the burned and unburned areas of peatland forest were compared for differences in their ground vegetations and microclimates, etc. There are changes of composition in ground vegetation. The burnt peatland forests in the valley become shrub swamps without trees and young birch swamps. If surface water decreases, it can return to the peatland forest where large (Larix gmelini) are dominant. However, since the water increase naturally, tussocks develop and fens will substitute shrub swamps.