[Research advance in response of forest seedling regeneration to light environmental heterogeneity].

Based on the analysis of characteristics of forest light environmental heterogeneity, this paper reviewed the research advance in the response of forest seedlings to light environmental heterogeneity from the aspects of photosynthesis, thermal dissipation, biomass accumulation and distribution, morphological traits, germination, and population dynamics, and discussed the ecological significance of different responses of seedling regeneration to light environmental heterogeneity in forest biodiversity maintenance, forest succession, and revegetation. Some suggestions for future research in this field were put forward.