Structure tree species diversity and composition of tropical seasonal rainforests in Xishuangbanna South-West China


Citation

Lu X. T., . and Yin J. X., . and Tang J. W., . Structure tree species diversity and composition of tropical seasonal rainforests in Xishuangbanna South-West China. pp. 260-270. ISSN 0128-1283

Abstract

We described the tree species diversity and floristic composition of a tropical seasonal rainforest located in Xishuangbanna south-west China based on a census of all trees with diameter at breast height (dbh)10cm in three 1-ha plots. A total of 1283 stems of 53families 125 genera and 207 species were recorded in these plots. Families with greatest importance value were Euphorbiaceae Meliaceae Sapindaceae Lauraceae and Lecythidaceae. Lauraceae was the most species-rich family. Forest structure was marked by few tall emergent trees such as Pometia tomentosa (Sapindaceae). The average number of large trees (dbh 70 cm) was 15 stems ha-1. Beta diversity indices indicated that tree species composition differed greatly among the three plots. Our results revealed that species diversity of tropical seasonal rainforests in Xishuangbanna was lower than that of tropical lowland rainforest in South-East Asia. This may be due to lower annual precipitation higher elevation and more distinct seasonality in Xishuangbanna. Additionally tree species composition in our study area differs from that of the dipterocarp forests in South-East Asia. This study will help us to understand the patterns of tree species composition and diversity in the northern edge of tropical Asia.


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Abstract

We described the tree species diversity and floristic composition of a tropical seasonal rainforest located in Xishuangbanna south-west China based on a census of all trees with diameter at breast height (dbh)10cm in three 1-ha plots. A total of 1283 stems of 53families 125 genera and 207 species were recorded in these plots. Families with greatest importance value were Euphorbiaceae Meliaceae Sapindaceae Lauraceae and Lecythidaceae. Lauraceae was the most species-rich family. Forest structure was marked by few tall emergent trees such as Pometia tomentosa (Sapindaceae). The average number of large trees (dbh 70 cm) was 15 stems ha-1. Beta diversity indices indicated that tree species composition differed greatly among the three plots. Our results revealed that species diversity of tropical seasonal rainforests in Xishuangbanna was lower than that of tropical lowland rainforest in South-East Asia. This may be due to lower annual precipitation higher elevation and more distinct seasonality in Xishuangbanna. Additionally tree species composition in our study area differs from that of the dipterocarp forests in South-East Asia. This study will help us to understand the patterns of tree species composition and diversity in the northern edge of tropical Asia.

Additional Metadata

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Item Type: Article
AGROVOC Term: Species diversity
AGROVOC Term: Tropical rain forests
AGROVOC Term: Floristic composition
AGROVOC Term: Euphorbiaceae
AGROVOC Term: Meliaceae
AGROVOC Term: Sapindaceae
AGROVOC Term: Lauraceae
AGROVOC Term: Lecythidaceae
AGROVOC Term: Pometia
AGROVOC Term: Lowland
Depositing User: Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified: 24 Apr 2025 06:27
URI: http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/21571

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