Population structure and community characteristics of Pseudotaxus chienii in Fengyangshan National Natural Reserve
凤阳山白豆杉种群结构及群落特性的研究

Pseudotaxus chienii, an endemic plant in China, is one of the second grade state protection wild plants, and distributes in Fengyangshan Natural Reserve as one of its concentrative dwelling places. A survey in the region was carried out on 10 communities, which were dominated by P. chienii. The analysis on its size structure, spatial distribution pattern and community characteristics showed that the populations of P. chienii could grow in the communities dominated by Rhododendron simiarum, Fokienia hodginsii-R. simiarum, and evergreen broad-leaved forests. In R. simiarum communities, the size structure, survival curve, and overwhelming community distribution pattern of P. chienii showed a sustaining development, while in communities dominated by F. hodginsii-R. simiarum, though the size structure was declining, the survival curve was Deevy- III type. Plenty of plantlets were still existed, and the populations kept steady. Two types were considered to be the most suitable ones for P. chienii populations. The important value of P. chienii reached 5% - 10%. In evergreen broad-leaved forests, the populations of P. chienii showed to be a declining type, and the survival curve was Deevy- II type. The distribution pattern was random, indicating that P. chienii populations could not fit for survive in this kind of communities. Correlation analysis showed that P. chienii populations had a positive correlation with R. simiarum and F. hodginsii, but a negative correlation with Cyclobalanopsis stewardiana and Schima superba. P. chienii could associate to the habits with the community canopy density of about 0.6 - 0.8. From the results mentioned above, the populations of P. chienii could be able to sustain and develop, and the existing habitat in Fengyangshan should be protected effectively. The protection of P. chienii requires more basic work to establish efficient measures to protect its habitat.