Plant community structure and ecological benefits of Qianwangling Park in Lin’an

Abstract

Objective This research aims to analyze the plant community structure of Qianwangling Park in Lin’an District of Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, and evaluate its ecological benefits. Method Taking Qianwangling Park as the research object, the structure of 32 plant communities in the park was investigated, and the i-Tree model was used to evaluate the ecological benefits of community including energy conservation, carbon dioxide absorption, air quality improvement and rainwater interception. Result (1) There were 1 613 trees in the community, belonging to 39 families 62 genera and 74 species. The community structure was mainly of the multi-layer type, dominated by the landscape style of the mixed forest of needles and broads. (2) The annual ecological benefit of the community was 208 588.16 yuan·a−1, and the average benefit per tree was 129.25 yuan·plant−1·a−1, among which the benefits of energy conservation, carbon dioxide absorption, air quality improvement and rainwater interception were 48 188.80, 98 447.36, 4 019.84 and 57 932.16 yuan·a−1, accounting for 23.10%, 47.20%, 1.93% and 27.77% respectively. The highest total value of ecological benefits reached 12 777.60 yuan·a−1, found in sample L21 (Cinnamomum camphora+Magnolia grandiflora-Camellia japonica community), accounting for 6.13%. This community had the highest benefits in saving energy, absorbing carbon dioxide and intercepting rainwater. The mixed community contributed the most to ecological benefit values, accounting for 35.47%. (3) The deciduous broad-leaved and coniferous trees had higher average benefits per plant, and deciduous broad-leaved trees had more advantages in energy conservation, CO2 absorption, air quality improvement and rainwater interception. Conclusion The ecological benefit of plant community in Qianwangling Park is mainly determined by the number of tree species, growth type and average diameter at breast height. The coniferous and broad-leaved mixed community has obvious advantages in ecological benefit value. [Ch, 2 fig. 4 tab. 23 ref.]