Abstract
In this study, we classified twenty associations, 179 families, 810 genera, 1897 species, and identified 291 rare species. The vegetation units were named following floristic-sociological approach. A cocktail determination key was used to classify the following vegetation units of association. More of the west side than the east side of the study area was at a higher altitude, and the vegetation experienced significant compression. Follow the result of detrended correspondence analysis (DCA), winter rainfall and average January temperature were the main environmental factors affecting variation in vegetation distribution by elevation gradient in this area. The particular association type on the eastern side of the study area is attributable to the northeast monsoon experienced year-round in this area, which causes relatively low temperature and humidity and wind rush, as well as the compression of the elevation range in each forest. The monsoon deciduous vegetation area exists only on the west of the low altitude mountains.
Highlights
Situated on the Tropic of Cancer, Taiwan is a subtropical island that is rich in natural forests
Its mountainous topography forms distinct altitudinal vegetation zones, with vegetation corresponding to several latitudinal zones from subarctic to tropical [1] and different geographic areas that vary by precipitation and temperature
The west and east sides are close, the types and distribution of vegetation in these areas differ according to the climate [2]
Summary
Situated on the Tropic of Cancer, Taiwan is a subtropical island that is rich in natural forests. Its mountainous topography (highest peak: 3952 m a.s.l.) forms distinct altitudinal vegetation zones, with vegetation corresponding to several latitudinal zones from subarctic to tropical [1] and different geographic areas that vary by precipitation and temperature. Taiwan has been classified into seven ecoregions [2]. Our study area involved the west and east sides of Southern Taiwan. The west and east sides are close, the types and distribution of vegetation in these areas differ according to the climate [2]. The weather on the west side is moist in summer and dry in winter
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