Abstract Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. , a prominent species in forest plantations of Shanxi Province, is a common coniferous species in the cool temperate zone of North China and plays a very important role in soil and water conservation and improving soil fertility in North China mountainous regions. Based on the distributed measurement method, we suggest an assessment system for the ecological benefit value of P. tabulaeformis plantation with unthinned (CK), light (LT), medium (MT) and high intensity (HT)thinning in Maquan Foresty of Taiyue Forest Bureau’s Shanxi, China. And with reference to some related price parameters, accuracy analysis and evaluation were made to P. tabulaeformis plantation with different stand densities from the perspective of ecological benefit. The results showed that the value of water conservation followed the order of MT (102.58 yuan/ (hm2·a)) > CK (100.07 yuan/ (hm2·a))> HT (99.98 yuan/ (hm2·a)) > LT (95.45 yuan/ (hm2·a)). The values of soil conservation in CK,LT, MT and HT ere 228.92, 228.75, 267.00 and 232.30 yuan/ (hm2·a), respectively. The total annual value of carbon fixation and oxygen release was 3 965.13 yuan/ (hm2·a) in CK, 4 229.96 yuan/(hm2·a) in LT, 4 591.69 yuan/ (hm2·a) in MT, and 3 758.30 yuan/ (hm2·a) in HT. Value of nutrient accumulation ranged from 1 424.80 yuan/ (hm2·a) in HT to1 769.94 yuan/ (hm2·a) in MT. Overall, the ecological benefit had notable difference at four densities, having the order of medium thinning stand > low thinning stand > control stand > high thinning stand. The ecological benefit of low thinning and medium thinning stands were increased by 6.28% and 15.60% than control stand. In contrast, the ecological benefit of high thinning stand was 5.28% lower than control stand. The ecological benefit mainly came from carbon fixation and oxygen release. Our evaluation results have certain contribution and practical application value to the forestry management and production activities in the Taiyue Mountain area. It also provides scientific and reliable theoretical basis and practical technical guidance for the sustainable management of forests in North China.
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