Abies georgei Population Structure and Dynamics of the Baima Snow Mountain, Yunnan, China

Abstract:

Climate change will result in the distribution range of plants that have changed and the impact on wildlife habitat quality. We will explore the Baima Snow Mountain Nature Protection Area Abies georgei population structure change and climate change impact on the growth of Abies georgei population, which can offer theoretical basis for biodiversity protection. Understanding the ecological characteristics is necessary to analyse its population structure and probe into the causes. We set up 27 sample plots for field study above 3300m of Baima Snow Mountain in the northwest of Yunnan Province. We mapped age class distribution and number of survival individuals at different altitudes for analyzing the population age, structure and quantitative characteristics. Abies georgei has a stable development on mid-altitude. The population at mid-altitude showed a growing trend with a large proportion of saplings and number of individuals decreased with increase of age. The age structure and densities of low altitude shows a distinct increase in the number of survival individuals. Compared with other altitudes, Abies georgei population of each age classes is reasonable, except declining of age class I. The abnormal growth of juveniles at low and high altitudes, which may be caused by climate changes, becomes the disadvantage of Abies georgei population in the future.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 522-524)
• Pages: 1059-1064
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.522-524.1059
• Online since: February 2014
• Authors: Ru Zhao, Xi Qing Deng, Gong Sheng Wu, Li Li*
• Keywords: Age Structure and Density, Baima Snow Mountain, Climate Change, Population

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