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Factors influencing the distribution and growth of dwarf bamboo, Fargesia nitida, in a subalpine forest in Wolong Nature Reserve, southwest China

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Ecological Research

Abstract

Dwarf bamboos impose intense resource competition in subalpine coniferous forests, and their exclusive densities have crucial impacts on tree regeneration and understory species diversity. We studied the factors influencing the distribution and growth of dwarf bamboo, Fargesia nitida, in a subalpine forest in southwest China. TWINSPAN, based on an attribute matrix, could divide the subalpine forest into 11 sub-associations, and more clearly reflected ecological functional features of the subalpine forest than analysis based on a species matrix. TWINSPAN was also generally consistent with DCA ordination based on the attribute matrix. DCA and DCCA ordination showed relationships between the distribution of F. nitida population and environment factor. The first DCCA axis showed topography and disturbance gradients (except fallen trees and broken branches); the second DCCA axis showed canopy density and composition gradients. Stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that distribution (culm density and coverage) of F. nitida decreased significantly with landslide and slope aspect, and increased significantly with soil status. The light condition had positive effects on growth and size of bamboo. A stable environment in the northern slope and more broadleaved species dominating in canopy would increase the dwarf bamboo biomass. Thus, the disturbance regimes, the slope aspect and the BA of evergreen conifer trees can provide useful guidelines for the control and management of F. nitida populations, and in helping to understand the succession and regeneration of subalpine forest in this region.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Dr. Thorpe Michael and Fangli Luo for their help on this manuscript. We thank Chaolong Yan, Yuan Li, Xiaohong Yu, Yi Xi, and Qin Liang for their assistance in the fieldwork. This study was supported by the Special Foundation Project of the National Key Technology R&D Program (2006BAD03A1006), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30500388; 30300047).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Eco-environments in Three Gorges Reservoir Region (Ministry of Education), School of Life Science, Southwest University, 400715, Chongqing, China

    Yong Jian Wang, Jian Ping Tao & Zhang Cheng Zhong

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  1. Yong Jian Wang
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  2. Jian Ping Tao
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  3. Zhang Cheng Zhong
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Correspondence to Jian Ping Tao.

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Wang, Y.J., Tao, J.P. & Zhong, Z.C. Factors influencing the distribution and growth of dwarf bamboo, Fargesia nitida, in a subalpine forest in Wolong Nature Reserve, southwest China. Ecol Res 24, 1013–1021 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-008-0573-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-008-0573-2

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