Abstract
The hot-dry valleys are deeply incised gorges created by major rivers in SW China. A foehn effect caused by the rain shadow on the leeward slopes of mountains accounts for their hot-dry climate. Many plant genera have tropical affinities. The most representative vegetation types of these semi-savannas are the sparse woody grassland and the thorny succulent shrubland, similar to those of the savannas of tropical India and tropical Africa. Here I describe the major communities of the hot-dry valleys along four rivers, Yuanjiang, Jinshajiang, Nujiang and Lancangjiang, concentrating on the floristic composition of Yuanjiang.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Chen WW, Wang J, Du F (2009) Characteristics of thorny succulent shrub communities in the Yuanjiang hot-dry valley. Green World Green Sci Technol 4:38–42
He Y-B, Lu P-Z, Zhu T (2000) Causes for the formation of dry-hot valleys in Hengduan Mountain-Yunnan Plateau. Resour Sci 22(5):69–72
Jin ZZ (1999) A phytosociological study on the semi-savanna in the dry-hot valleys of Yuanjiang River, Yunnan. Guihaia 19(4):289–302
Jin ZZ (2002) Floristic features of dry-hot and dry-warm valleys, Yunnan and Sichuan. Yunnan Science and Technology Press, Kunming
Jin ZZ, Ou XK (2000) Yuanjiang, Nujiang, Jinshajiang, Lancangjiang vegetation of dry-hot valleys. Yunnan University Press, Kunming
Li ZY, Taylor NP (2007) Cactaceae. In: Wu ZY, Raven PH, Hong DY (eds) Flora of China, vol 13. Science Press, Beijing, pp 209–211
Ma JS, Gilbert MG (2008) Euphorbia. In: Wu ZY, Raven PH, Hong DY (eds) Flora of China, vol 11. Science Press, Beijing, pp 288–313
Ma H-C, McConchie JA (2001) The dry-hot valleys and forestation in Southwest China. J For Res 12(1):35–39
SVEG (Sichuan Vegetation Editorial Group) (1980) Vegetation of Sichuan. Sichuan People’s Press, Chengdu
SWFC-KZI-YJCG (Southwest China Forestry College-Kunming Zoological Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences-Yuanjiang County Government) (2009) Yunnan Yuanjiang nature reserve, integrated scientific report. Southwest China Forestry College Press, Kunming
Whittaker RH (1975) Community and ecosystem, 2nd edn. Macmillan, New York
Wu ZY, Zhu YC, Jiang HQ (eds) (1987) The vegetation of Yunnan. Science Press, Beijing
Xu H (1985) Diary on touring in Yunnan Province. Yunnan People’s Press, Kunming, pp 214–230
Zhang YZ (1992) Publication series of the scientific survey on Qinghai-Xizang plateau: dry valley in the Hengduan mountainous area. Science Press, Beijing
Zhu H (1990) A study on the thorny succulent shrubs in dry-hot valley of Yuanijang County. Acta Bot Yunnanica 12(3):301–310
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Tang, C.Q. (2015). Semi-Savannas in Hot-Dry Valleys. In: The Subtropical Vegetation of Southwestern China. Plant and Vegetation, vol 11. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9741-2_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9741-2_6
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-017-9740-5
Online ISBN: 978-94-017-9741-2
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)