Abstract: Keteleeria pubescens is endemic to China and is classified as a national second-class key protected wild plant species. The distribution areas of the Keteleeria pubescens communities are extremely narrow, primarily occurred in patches in mountainous and hilly regions of Guizhou and Hunan provinces. To reveal the spatial distribution, community composition, and characteristics of Keteleeria pubescens forests, this study conducted comprehensive plot surveys of the communities from 2021 to 2023 during the plant growing season. A total of 4 survey sites were selected within the distribution range of Keteleeria pubescens forests, with 11 plots established, covering all distribution areas of the forests. Information on habitat, species composition, and quantity characteristics of all the forests were recorded. The main results of the quantitative analysis are: (1) Keteleeria pubescens forests had a rich species composition, with a total of 102 vascular plant species recorded; (2) Totally classified into 2 association groups and 2 associations, namely, Keteleeria pubescens + Evergreen Broadleaf Tree Association Group and Keteleeria pubescens - Herb Association Group; Keteleeria pubescens+Quercus glauca Association and Keteleeria pubescens - Woodwardia japonica Association; (3) The forests’ vertical stratification is obvious, in the arborous layer there were mainly Keteleeria pubescens and species of Quercus, Castanopsis, and Pinus; (4) The regeneration of Keteleeria pubescens is poor. This study surely provides solid scientific data for effective conservation and management of Keteleeria pubescens forests.

Key words: Keteleeria pubescens forest, Species composition, Community stratification, Association group, Association