Abstract
Davidia involucrata is a rare endangered species belonging to the paleo-tropical flora of the Tertiary period, endemic to China, and has an important protection and ornamental value. However, the natural populations and distribution areas of this ancient plant have been decreased sharply, because it suffers much disturbance from human activity in many regions. In this paper, data on Davidia involucrata forest in its most natural distribution areas were collected; the percentages of geographical areal types of seed-plant genera (Sensu Wu 1991) were summed; the community types were summarized using Braun-Blanquet methodology; and the geographical differentiation among communities was analyzed by detrended canonical correspondence analysis. The analysis of geographical types shows that temperate species are dominant and that tropical species also make up a high percentage. This indicates that Davidia involucrata forest is mainly temperate vegetation. In total, 16 communities were recognized by classification, and these communities were usually dominated by deciduous broad-leaved species, sometimes mixed with some evergreen species. The shrub layer of Davidia involucrata forest is generally occupied by bamboos. The geographical patterns among the communities are influenced mainly by temperature and moisture availability, and the forest is most likely to grow in warm, humid habitats.
Highlights
Davidia involucrata is a deciduous broad-leaved tree species in the monotypic family Davidiaceae [1]
Our goal is to provide synthetic, systematic phytosociological data for protecting this relic species resource in China
The study sites comprise most of the distribution areas of natural Davidia involucrata forests in south-central China, from 102 ̊25'E to 111 ̊11'E and 26 ̊57'N to 31 ̊30'N
Summary
Davidia involucrata is a deciduous broad-leaved tree species in the monotypic family Davidiaceae [1] It occurred widely in many areas of the world in the late Tertiary, but natural Davidia involucrata has survived. This species is well known as a Tertiary relict plant and “botanic living fossil”; it has small but beautiful flowers with two pure white bracts [4] [5]. Protection for the natural populations and forests of Davidia involucrata is needed
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