Biodiv Sci ›› 2011, Vol. 19 ›› Issue (2): 215-223.  DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1003.2011.09013

Special Issue: 中国的森林生物多样性监测

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Community structure and species composition of an evergreen broad- leaved forest in Tiantong’s 20 ha dynamic plot, Zhejiang Province, eastern China

Qingsong Yang1,2, Zunping Ma1,2, Yubin Xie1,2, Zhiguo Zhang1,2, Zhanghua Wang1,2, Heming Liu1,2, Ping Li1,2, Na Zhang1,2, Dali Wang1,2, Haibo Yang1,2, Xiaofeng Fang1,2, Enrong Yan1,2, Xihua Wang1,2,*()   

  1. 1 Department of Environmental Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062
    2 Tiantong National Station of Forest Ecosystem, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315114
  • Received:2011-01-17 Accepted:2011-02-26 Online:2011-03-20 Published:2011-06-01
  • Contact: Xihua Wang

Abstract:

Evergreen broad-leaved forest (EBLF) is a typical vegetation type in low elevation regions in eastern China. The permanent plot-based approach to community analysis is fundamentally important for revealing mechanisms of biodiversity maintenance. In this study, community structure and species composition were investigated and analyzed using a 20-ha permanent plot in Tiantong National Forest Park, Zhejiang Province. Our results were as follows: (1) we counted a total of 94,603 individuals, belonging to 152 species, 94 genera and 51 families. The three most dominant families were Theaceae, Lauraceae and Fagaceae. The genera present were dominated by tropical (52.1% in total) and temperate (42.6% in total) floras; (2) species in the evergreen life form were dominant with a community importance value of 80.3%. The three most dominant species were Eurya loquaiana, Litsea elongata and Choerospondias axiliaris. Fifty five species were considered rare; (3) the size distribution of all trees followed a reverse “J” shape; and (4) evergreen species showed a greater resprouting ability than deciduous species. In conclusion, with rich species composition and a mature community structure, the EBLF in Tiantong region is typical of this vegetation type.

Key words: evergreen broad-leaved forest, Tiantong, species composition, size-class, dynamic plot