Abstract:We have done a field study to investigate the community of Quercus wutaishanica in Qiliyu of Taiyue Moutain Shanxi.Based on the field study results to calculate the importance values and frequency of species,which were used to measure interspecific associations and cluster analysis for dominant species of arbors and shrubs;and using χ2 tests,together with association coefficient and percentage co-occurrence,to measure interspecific associations of the dominant species of two layers.According to interspecific associations and cluster analysis of the dominant species,to study plant varies among plant functional types(PFTs) with altitude gradients,which reflect the change of Q.wutaishanica community.The results of this study show that:(1)Pinus tabuliformis,Acer ginnala,Populus simonii,Populus davidiana,Betula platyphylla are the dominant tree species changed with altitude gradients;(2)according to the dominant species we can defined three PFTs in arbors:Ⅰ.Syringa pekinensis,Populus simonii,Acer elegantulum(1 200-1 700 m);Ⅱ.Pinus tabuliformis,Carpinus turczaninowii(1 700-1 840 m);Ⅲ.Populus davidiana,Betula platyphylla,Syringa reticulata var.amurensis(1 900-2 100 m);(3)the dominant species of shrubs were divided into seven PFTs.Therefore,our study suggested that each functional type has its unique spatial distribution and morphological characteristics.These PFTs appear to effectively reflect the dynamic relations between vegetation and environment,and provide a theoretical foundation for the conservation and research of Q.wutaishanica.
