Abstract: We studied micro-environment characteristics and specie correlation in forest gaps in broad-leaved Korean pine forests in Changbai Mountains. The richness in forest gaps was not similar to that under the canopy. The richness of tree layer in forest gaps was slightly higher than those under the canopy, and the richness of shrub and herb layer were significantly higher than those under the canopy. The correlation between most species showed negative correlation in forest gaps. There are less species pairs of extremely marked and marked positive correlation in tree layer, shrub and herb layer, less species pairs of extremely marked and marked negative correlation in tree layer, and no species pairs of extremely marked and marked negative correlation in shrub and herb layer. The correlation between species showed competition mainly. Microclimate showed a significant change in forest gap, light intensity and air temperature were significantly (P<0.01) higher in gaps than under canopy, the change rule of air relative humidity and soil temperature also shows large difference.

Key words: forest gap, broad-leaved Korean pine forests, interspecific relationship, Changbai Mountain