Community characteristics, species diversity and management of middle-mountain moist evergreen broad-leaved forest in the Ailao Mountains, Southwestern China

Abstract

Middle-mountain, moist, evergreen broad-leaved forest is an important forest type of Yunnan Province, SW China. Species composition, vegetation structure, physiognomy, diversity and phenology of this forest in Ailao Mountain were surveyed. The forest has characteristics common to subtropical, evergreen broad-leaved forest elsewhere in China. It also has local features associated with the middle-mountain location at lower latitude and higher altitude, including relatively high humidity and mild temperatures all year. The forest is dominated by species unique to Yunnan. There is a well-developed bamboo layer, fewer megaphanerophytes, more microphylls, more lianas and more epiphytes than in other subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests. Floristically, elements of tropical, temperate and endemic flora comprise 54, 43 and 3% of the genera, while tropical, temperate and endemics account for 22, 38 and 40% of the species in the forest. Two-thirds of the trees and shrubs have leaves with drip tips in varying degree. The phenological rhythm of the forest is similar to that of a tropical forest, with plants flowering and bearing fruits almost throughout the year. Species diversity is richer than that of other evergreen broad-leaved forests in central Yunnan. Some management strategies and priorities for this forest are suggested.