Characteristics of Phytolith Assemblages in Surface Soil from the Vertical Forest Zones of the Changbai Mountains
长白山北坡垂直植被带表土植硅体组合研究

The vertical vegetation distribution in the Changbai Mountains is a horizontal epitome from temperate to frigid zones in Eurasia. Researches on primary phytolith in the surface soil of different vegetation zones on the north slope are reported in this paper. Samples were collected from 700 m to 2630 m in elevation, and plentiful phytoliths of different kinds were recognized. The contents of phytolith assemblages are varied in different vegetation zones. The contents of phytoliths that indicate chilliness increase with the rising of altitude, while things are just the opposite for those showing warm climate. Near the hot springs on the north slope of the Changbai Mountains, the phytoliths in soil are obviously different from those in neighboring places. Phytolith studies in this area will provide valuable basic data for the phytolith research in Quaternary sediments of Northeast China, and can play an important role in the reconstruction of the paleo-vegetation and paleo-environment.