Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2010, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (2): 233-239.DOI: 10.3773/j.issn.1005-264x.2010.02.015

• Special feature: The destruction to forest ecosystems by the extremely heavy glaze and snow storms occurred in early 2008 in southern China • Previous Articles    

Analysis of the damage to Phyllostachys pubescens forests caused by a severe snow in Jiuhua Mountain, China

WANG Li-Long, LU Lin*()   

  1. Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Research on Processes and Emergency Management of Disaster, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China
  • Received:2009-02-16 Accepted:2009-05-25 Online:2010-02-16 Published:2010-02-01
  • Contact: LU Lin

Abstract:

Aims Few studies have examined snow damage on ecosystem composition and function in ecologically fragile areas, and most studies were qualitative. Therefore, quantitative study on this topic has important theoretical and practical significance.

Methods We used quadrat and transect methods to investigate snow-damaged forest in Jiuhua Mountain, China and analyzed damage to Phyllostachys pubescens in different locations and with different biological characteristics.

Important findings Preliminary analysis revealed that the extent of damage on P. pubescens was related to its location: shaded slope > sunny slope and high latitude > low latitude. The damage to P. pubescens was positively correlated to its importance value in the community, that is, pure forest > mixed forest. The average diameter at breast height (DBH) of damaged P. pubescens was (9.8 ± 1.3) cm, and most damage occurred in the juvenile stage. Individuals within 4 m from roads were damaged significantly more than individuals further away (p < 0.05). We proposed principles for forest management and forestation after snow damage.

Key words: effects, Jiuhua Mountain, Phyllostachys pubescens, snow damage