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Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology ›› 2018, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (2): 361-368.doi: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.201802.031

• Special Features for the Changbai Mountains Forum • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Population structure and regeneration strategy of relict deciduous broadleaved trees on Mount Tianmu, Zhejiang Province, China.

SHANG Kan-kan1, CHEN Bo2, DA Liang-jun3*   

  1. 1Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, Shanghai 201602, China;
    2College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, China;
    3Tiantong National Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, College of Ecology and Environmental Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
  • Received:2017-09-01 Online:2018-02-18 Published:2018-02-18
  • Contact: E-mail: ljda@des.ecnu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:

    This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31600343) and the National Key Research and Development Project (2016YFC050310203).

Abstract: The population structure, regeneration ways and spatial relationships of six relict deci-duous broadleaved trees were examined based on community investigation on Mount Tianmu, East China. The results showed that relict deciduous broadleaved trees had a strong ability of vegetative reproduction and their population structure was generally belonged to intermittent type. Some relict species such as Cyclocarya paliurus and Liquidamb aracalycina regenerated discontinuously at appropriate sites via long-distance diffusion. Some species such as Emmenoptery henryi and Euptelea pleiospermum regenerated discontinuously around mature trees due to habitat limitation and frequent disturbance. After occupying forest gaps by seedling regeneration, C. paliurus, L. acalycina, Nyssasinensis and Liquidambar formosana could recruit and form multi-stemmed individuals by their inherent sprouting ability at relatively stable sites such as crest slope and side slope. At riverbed, valley slope and head hollow, recognized as unstable habitats, Emmenopterys henryi, E. pleiospermum, and L. formosana could also recruit by strong sprouting ability due to sparse seedlings and individual loss incurred by disturbance. Therefore, the relict deciduous broadleaved trees could be classified into two ecological species groups (repairment species for forest gap and supplement species for special habitat) based on spatial distribution and strategy of regeneration and competition. We suggested that the protection of special habitats of their communities should be strengthened.