Forest Resources of Tianmen Mountain
Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park, located in Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China, boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna. This article will delve into the specific details of its plant and animal resources.
Plant Resources
The distribution of plant life on Tianmen Mountain varies with altitude and human impact.
- Lower Slopes: Predominantly covered by shrubs and small trees. Human activity, however, has led to the degradation of some areas into grasslands.
- Mid-Slopes: As the elevation increases and human interference decreases, the slopes and cliff platforms give way to thriving forests of Chinese fir and Masson pine. These coniferous forests are interspersed with broad-leaved trees such as camphor, Castanopsis sclerophylla, and Camellia.
- Summit: The summit, experiencing minimal human intervention, boasts a well-preserved primary secondary forest, unique for its development on karst topography.
Karst Primary Secondary Forest
This forest type is characterized by:
- Lush Growth: The trees exhibit healthy growth and the forest floor is densely vegetated.
- Species Diversity: A wide variety of plant species coexist, contributing to a complex ecosystem.
- Vertical Stratification: Distinct layers of vegetation are evident, from the towering canopy to the ground cover.
- Stable Ecosystem: The forest demonstrates the characteristics of a mature, balanced ecosystem.
Dominant Tree Species: The forest canopy is dominated by:
- Cyclobalanopsis multinervis
- Dipteronia sinensis
- Carpinus turczaninowii
- Quercus glauca
Other Flora: The forest floor is rich in:
- Shrubs and Herbs: Forming distinct communities.
- Mosses and Ferns: Thriving in the humid, shaded environment.
- Epiphytes: Growing on the trunks of larger trees.
- Fallen Trees and Decaying Wood: Providing habitats for various organisms.
Diversity of Plant Species
- As of 2008, Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park was home to 266 species of ornamental plants, representing 182 genera and 92 families. These plants are recognized for their age, diversity, and aesthetic value.
- Zhangjiajie's subtropical monsoon climate contributes to its exceptional plant biodiversity, with over 715 recorded woody plant species.
Categorization of Woody Plants
The woody plant species found on Tianmen Mountain can be categorized as follows:
| Category | Number of Species | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Timber Trees | N/A (Primarily evergreen conifers and broad-leaved trees) | Camptotheca acuminata (resistant to SO2 and dust pollution), Machilus odoratissima, Pinus massoniana, Cryptomeria japonica, Cephalotaxus fortunei, Taxus chinensis, Torreya fargesii, Dalbergia spp., Lindera glauca, Mallotus japonicus, Cinnamomum camphora |
| Flowering Trees | 40+ | Dove tree (Davidia involucrata), Dove tree (Cornus florida), Chinese fringe tree (Chionanthus retusus), Tilia spp. Other examples include: Sargent's rowan (Sorbus sargentiana), Grey-leaf cherry (Prunus grayana), Kalopanax septemlobus, Magnolia denudata, Magnolia × alba, Michelia figo, Styrax argenteus, Crataegus pinnatifida, Prunus serrulata, Lagerstroemia indica, Loropetalum chinense, Cercis chinensis, Robinia pseudoacacia, Sophora japonica, Styphnolobium japonicum, Melia azedarach |
| Fruit Trees | 20 | Pterocarya stenoptera, Diospyros kaki, Sorbus sargentiana, Pterostyrax psilophyllus, Dipteronia sinensis, Prunus persica, Lithocarpus cleistocarpus, Cornus controversa, Machilus chinensis |
| Foliage Trees | 35 | Acer palmatum, Berberis spp., Liquidambar formosana, Salix babylonica, Trachycarpus fortunei, Alangium chinense, Daphniphyllum oldhamii, Sassafras tzumu, Acer mono, Acer palmatum, Kalopanax septemlobus, Cycas revoluta, Liriodendron chinense, Prunus cerasifera 'Atropurpurea', Elaeocarpus decipiens |
Categorization of Shrubs
Shrubs are further classified by their ornamental features:
| Category | Number of Species | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Flowering Shrubs | 42 | Camellia japonica, Rhododendron spp., Rosa spp., Hypericum monogynum, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, Daphne odora, Deutzia spp., Buddleja davidii, Deutzia scabra, Lespedeza bicolor var. japonica, Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum, Symplocos chinensis, Enkianthus serrulatus, Euonymus fortunei, Ribes glaciale |
| Fruiting Shrubs | N/A | Pyracantha fortuneana, Lonicera japonica, Abelia biflora, Nandina domestica, Rhus chinensis, Euonymus alatus, Daphne odora, Nandina domestica, Deutzia scabra, Elaeagnus pungens |
| Foliage Shrubs | 22 | Rhamnus crenata, Mahonia bealei, Mahonia fortunei, Nandina domestica, Nandina domestica 'Fire Power', Rhus chinensis, Euonymus alatus, Pittosporum rhombifolium, Nandina domestica |
Animal Resources
- Avian Diversity: As of 2007, 68 bird species from 24 families and 10 orders have been recorded, representing 17% of Hunan Province's bird species.
- Zoogeographical Distribution:
- Oriental species: 40 species (58.8%)
- Palaearctic species: 14 species (20.6%)
- Widespread species: 14 species (20.6%)
- Migratory Status:
- Resident birds: 53 species (79.94%)
- Summer migrants: 15 species (20.06%)
- Protected Species: 5 bird species (7.35%) are classified as National Second-Class Protected Animals.
Q&A
Q: What type of forest is unique to the summit of Tianmen Mountain?
A: A karst primary secondary forest, distinguished by its development on karst terrain.
Q: What contributes to the exceptional plant diversity on Tianmen Mountain?
A: Zhangjiajie's subtropical monsoon climate.
Q: What is the significance of Camptotheca acuminata in terms of environmental resilience?
A: It exhibits strong resistance to pollutants like SO2 and dust, making it suitable for planting in parks and industrial areas.
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