Abstract

We analyzed changes in species diversity of plant communities on Mt.mao’er using data from 16 plots,which were investigated along an altitudinal gradient at 100 m intervals.Each tree(DBH>3.3cm) was identified and recorded.Major results were summarized as follows(1) A total of 184 tree species from 79 genera in 44 families,among which 121 were evergreen broadleaved,61 were deciduous broad-leaved and 2 were coniferous,were recorded.(2)Maximum height of tree layer and of different life forms decreased significantly with increasing altitude;however,maximum DBH,basal area and stem density were highest at mid-altitudes.(3)Species richness did not change greatly below 1350 m but decreased sharply with an increasing altitude,with a peak at 1350 m.(4)Alpha diversity correlated with altitude in a similar but less significant fashion compared with species richness.Diversity(H’) correlated negatively with altitude,while evenness(E) did not change notably with altitude.(5)Similarity(C_(J)) between neighboring plots below 1350 m,and the minimum similarity occurred in the transitional zone between different vegetation types.Species turnover(Cody index) paralleled patterns of community similarity(C_(J).(6)In the study region,altitude seemed to be the primary determinant of community structure,species richness and alpha diversity,rather than slope and aspect.Spatial heterogeneity resulting from human disturbance and micro-landform appeared to determine these characteristics at a local scale.

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