Abstract
ABSTRACT: This study aimed to examined the characteristics of ancient and famous trees in Laoshan District, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China, including species composition, number of individuals, origin, distribution, and age structure, to highlight the values of inheriting history and culture, improving urban environment, protecting regional biodiversity, promoting tourism economy and so on. The analyses was made through field surveys and quantitative analyses of statistical data and relevant literature, The main issues in their conservation are investigated and priority conservation measures are proposed. Results showed that there are 290 ancient and famous trees, comprising 42 species, 34 genera, and 26 families. These included four types of ancient and famous trees with different origins, namely religious trees planted by Buddhists, naturally preserved wild trees, trees with agricultural backgrounds for providing food or used as offerings, and exotic trees introduced from other places. There are relatively more local species and comparatively more elder trees. Ancient and famous trees are distributed in large numbers in Mountain Lao Scenic Area and many of them fall into temperate genera. Currently, ancient and famous tree conservation in Laoshan District is challenging because of issues such as habitat deterioration, severe effects of natural hazards, pests and diseases, weakening physiological function, and inadequate management. Based on all these analyses, countermeasures are proposed, which include regularly inspecting ancient and famous trees, restoring their habitats, reinforcing pest and disease controls, promoting studies on conservation technologies, improving management practices, increasing grants, and reforming the ownership system of ancient and famous trees.
Highlights
Ancient and famous trees refer to trees no less than 100 years old that have survived the course of human history, or trees with important scientific, cultural, or commemorative significance
The first three groups are in the majority and the fourth group makes up a small percentage (ZHANG et al, 2017, COMPILING COMMITTEE OF ANCIENT AND FAMOUS TREES IN LAOSHAN DISTRICT, 2015, HISTORY AND ANNALS OFFICE OF QINGDAO, 2007)
Laoshan Mountain is one of the birthplaces of Taoism—one principle of prohibiting killing—and Taoists believe that trees in temples signify the rise and fall of the temples (HISTORY AND ANNALS OFFICE OF QINGDAO, 2007)
Summary
Ancient and famous trees refer to trees no less than 100 years old that have survived the course of human history, or trees with important scientific, cultural, or commemorative significance (NATIONAL AFFORESTATION COMMITTEE OF CHINA AND STATE FORESTRY ADMINISTRATION OFCHINA, 2001). Ancient and famous trees refer to trees no less than 100 years old that have survived the course of human history, or trees with important scientific, cultural, or commemorative significance Ancient and famous trees are generally believed to be witnesses to history, constituent elements of the landscape at scenic spots, and targets for germplasm resource conservation for rare and endangered plant species. They provide essential biological evidence for research on regional climate and ecological changes. In 2001, the National Afforestation Committee and the State Forestry Administration of the PRC initiated a national survey of ancient and famous trees. Since the 1990s, researchers in China and abroad have carried out various studies on the value, species composition, numbers of individuals, and distribution of ancient and famous trees, survey and documentation methodology, current conservation situations and challenges, and detailed technical measures to preserve and rejuvenate them (MATHAUX et al, 2016, MARRIS, 2016, NUGTEREN, 2016, AKTER et al, 2015, MARTIN, 2013, ZHANG et al, 2013, ZHU et al, 2013, LIU et al, 2008)
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