A STUDY ON KETELEEI RIA DAVIDIANA AND ITS COMMUNITY IN HILLY AREA IN DANGYANG OF HUBEI PROVINCE
湖北当阳市丘陵地区铁坚杉及其群落的研究

This article is a general study on the distribution, origin, change,biological characteristics, law of growth and development, communitytype, structure, regeneration and succession of Keteleeiria davidiana inDangyong. A large area of pure and mixed forest in the hilly area at the lowaltitude of 100-393 m is reported. Keteleeiria davidiana in hilly area in Dangyang was originated 60 mill-ion years ago. Without the damage of Quaternary glacier and little distu-rbance by human in history, it survives until today. The properties of Keteleeiria davidiana is very similar to that of Pinusmassoniana. It has easy propagation, good adaptability, and long life. Itcan grow into big trees. Single tree growth speed are not lower than thatof Pinus massoniana. The species has strong germination and regenerationability, thus several harvests are possible once planted. It is proposed to use the species as an improved timber source fnlar-ge-scale artificial forests in its adaptable region. However, the specis innow on the verge of extinction, we propose to protect it as grade 3 prot-ectd species.