Syntaxonomic and Gradient Analysis of Keteleeria davidiana var. formosana Forests in Taiwan

Abstract

In this study we present a comprehensive multivariate analysis of Keteleeria davidiana var. formosana forest vegetation in Taiwan. In total, 65 sample plots were compiled, partly from the relevant literature and partly from new and unpublished data. We used only woody vascular plant species for the analysis. The syntaxonomy of forest types was determined by a 2-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) and tabular comparison method. A detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) was applied to the ordination analysis to clarify floristic variations of the 65 sample plots. One alliance, 2 associations, and 4 subassociations were distinguished and described: the K. davidiana var. formosana alliance was recognized and divided into Cyclobalanopsis hypophaea-Keteleeria davidiana var. formosana association including the Callicarpa remotiflora and Antidesma hiiranense subassociations and a Diospyros morrisiana-Keteleeria davidiana var. formosana association including the Pinus luchuensis and Illicium arborescens subassociations. Synonyms in the recent literature on forests relating to these associations and subassociations are given. The ordination program confirmed the differentiation of K. davidiana var. formosana forests.