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Chamaecyparis montane cloud forest in Taiwan: ecology and vegetation classification
Montane cloud forest is one of the most endangered ecosystems. However, there are few comprehensive studies on the distribution of subtropical montane cloud forest (SMCF). Chamaecyparis forest is one type of SMCF in Taiwan, distributed across the whole island. This study describes eleven types of th...
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Published in: | Ecological research 2015-09, Vol.30 (5), p.771-791 |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that this one cites Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | Montane cloud forest is one of the most endangered ecosystems. However, there are few comprehensive studies on the distribution of subtropical montane cloud forest (SMCF).
Chamaecyparis
forest is one type of SMCF in Taiwan, distributed across the whole island. This study describes eleven types of this forest in Taiwan based on the Braun-Blanquet approach. Plots were selected from the National Vegetation Database of Taiwan. Two alliances were defined, both of which belong to the order
Fagetalia hayatae
. Topography and altitude explain the contrasting habitat requirements of these two alliances, whereas seasonality of moisture, soil properties and altitude explain differences in floristic composition at the association level. The alliance of
Chamaecyparidion formosanae
on slopes and ridges includes coniferous or mixed coniferous and evergreen broad-leaved forests; it is found at higher altitudes and is more influenced by the summer monsoon than the other alliance. Five associations are defined within this alliance. The alliance of
Pasanio kawakamii
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Machilion japonicae
growing on slopes and in valleys contains evergreen broad-leaved forests or forests with a mixture of coniferous and evergreen broad-leaved species. Six associations can be determined under the alliance of
Pasanio kawakamii
-
Machilion japonicae
. Classification of each syntaxon was formalized using Cocktail Determination Key. |
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ISSN: | 0912-3814 1440-1703 |
DOI: | 10.1007/s11284-015-1284-0 |