POPULATION STRUCTURE AND REGENERATION OF QUERCUS ALIENA VAR. ACUTESERRATA IN SHENNONGJIA
神农架地区锐齿槲栎种群结构与更新的研究

This paper focuses on the structure and reg eneration of Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata populations in the Shennon gjia area of Central China. These populations are widely distributed and well co nserved. Analysis of size structure and spatial distribution pattern shows: 1) t he number of seedlings (height<1 3 m) and saplings (height 1 3-4 m) differs b etween plots, while the number of individuals in middle size classes exceeds tha t of larger size class; the lack of individuals at some size class is a common f eature of plots; 2) seedlings, saplings and adults all showed clumped distributi ons, and the degree of patchiness varied with the grid size analyzed; clumping w as stronger in seedlings and saplings than among adults; 3) Quercus aliena v ar. acuteserrata populations regenerate mainly via the production of seedlin gs. The appearance of which is closely related with the formation of gaps. The d ensity of seedlings and saplings was lower where shrub cover was high and many o f saplings died as a result of intraspecific and interspecific competition. Dist urbance, such as the formation of gaps, is important for saplings to enter into the upper layer of the community.