Chin J Plan Ecolo ›› 2004, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (4): 476-482.DOI: 10.17521/cjpe.2004.0065

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS OF YEW (TAXUS CUSPIDATA) IN THE MULING YEW NATURE RESERVE, HEILONGJIANG PROVINCE

ZHOU Zhi-Qiang1LIU Tong1 and YUAN Ji-Lian2   

  1. (1 Forestry College, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China) (2 Muling Forestry Bureau of Heilongjiang Province, Muling 157513, China)
  • Received:2003-11-22 Online:2004-11-22 Published:2004-04-12
  • Contact: ZHOU Zhi-Qiang

Abstract: Based on a field investigation that consisted of 74 sample zones across a total sample area of 436.872 hm2, we describe the population characteristics of yew (Taxus cuspidata), and the relationship between its distribution and site factors. There were a total of 179 631 individual yew plants in the 34 544 hm2 nature reserve, a very large population. The population distribution was correlated to elevation, slope position, aspect and slope gradient. Altitudes between 700 and 800 m had the greatest number of plants and thus the preferred habitat for natural yew populations. More individuals were found on shady slopes than sunny slopes, and more individuals at the upper and mid-slope positions than at the toe of the slope. There were more yew individuals located on slopes with a slope gradient <15° and numbers decreased substantially with increasing slope gradient.