Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2008, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (5): 1146-1156.DOI: 10.3773/j.issn.1005-264x.2008.05.019

• Original article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

POPULATION QUANTITATIVE CHARACTERISTICS AND DYNAMICS OF RARE AND ENDANGERED TSUGA TCHEKIANGENSIS IN JIULONGSHAN NATURE RESERVE OF CHINA

ZHANG Zhi-Xiang1, LIU Peng1,*(), CAI Miao-Zhen1, KANG Hua-Jing1, LIAO Cheng-Chuan2, LIU Chun-Sheng1, LOU Zhong-Hua1   

  1. 1College of Chemistry and Life Science, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321004, China
    2Administration Bureau of Jiulongshan Nature Reserve, Suichang, Zhejiang 323300, China
  • Received:2007-11-12 Accepted:2008-03-28 Online:2008-11-12 Published:2008-09-30
  • Contact: LIU Peng

Abstract:

Aims Our objective was to investigate population quantitative characteristics and dynamics of Tsuga tchekiangensis, which is listed as a Chinese national third protective plant with a small geographic distribution in subtropical forests of Jiulongshan Nature Reserve, Zhejiang Province, China.

Methods Ten plots (20 m × 20 m) were investigated along different ridges from low to high altitude. We developed a static life table of T. tchekiangensis population based on the population life table and theory of survival analysis. Survivorship curves, mortality rate, killing power, survival rate, cumulative mortality rate, mortality density and hazard rate were determined, and population dynamics were analyzed using spectral analysis.

Important findings There were abundant young but fewer old individuals. Population structure fluctuated. The survival curve of the population was Deevey type Ⅱ. Two peaks of mortality rate and killing power existed in the lifespan: the 5th and 15th age class periods. The population survival rate of T. tchekiangensis decreased monotonically, whereas the cumulative mortality rate increased monotonically. Meanwhile, the cumulative mortality rate significantly increased during the 13th age class period, up to 98%. Four survival functional curves showed that the T. tchekiangensis population grew stably at young age, decreased very quickly in middle age and declined in old age. Spectral analysis of the population showed that there was a marked periodic fluctuation in the process of natural regeneration.

Key words: population life table, survival curve, survival analysis, spectral analysis, population quantitative dynamics, Tsuga tchekiangensis