Vegetation Ecology of Sphagnum Wetlands in Subtropical Subalpine Regions: A Case Study in Qi Zimei Mountains

Abstract

Vegetation of Sphagnum moss wetlands in the Qi Zimei Mountains was surveyed by phytosociological methods (Braun-Blanquet, Pflanzensoziologie, Grundzuge der Vegetationskunde, vol 3. Springer, p 631, 1964) in May and July 2012. Results show that there are 67 families, 128 genera and 196 species (including varieties) of higher plants. Among them, there are 2 families, 2 genera and 2 species of bryophytes, 6 families, 7 genera and 8 species of pteridophytes, 59 families, 119 genera and 186 species of spermatophytes. Rosaceae exhibits the highest richness, with 25 plant species in total. Vegetation of Sphagnum wetlands in Qi Zimei Mountains was classified into eight associations: (1) Assn. Juncus setchuensis + Carex taliensis–Sphagnum palustre ssp. palustre (2) Assn. Juncus setchuensis + Lycopus coreanus var. cavaleriei–Sphagnum palustre ssp. palustre (3) Assn. Carex taliensis–Sphagnum palustre ssp. palustre (4) Assn. Polygonum thunbergii–Sphagnum palustre ssp. palustre (5) Assn. Malus hupehensis–Carex filicina var. meiogyna–Sphagnum palustre ssp. palustre (6) Assn. Rhododendron auriculatum–Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum–Sphagnum palustre ssp. Palustre (7) Assn. Acorus calamus–Sphagnum palustre ssp. palustre (8) Assn. Enkianthus chinesis–Sinarundinaria nitida–Carex taliensis–Sphagnum palustre ssp. palustre . The appearance of the vegetation types vary across seasons. Further research on biodiversity and ecological restoration of Sphagnum mire in western Hubei Province is ongoing.