Studies on species diversity of Larix chinensis community ecotone

Abstract

The communities of Larix chinensis and their ecotone in Qinling Mountains were investigated by sampling belt method. Species richness, Simpson diversity, Shannon-Weiner diversity, PIE and Pielou evenness indices of vascular plants in their communities and ecotone were calculated. Structure and composition of the communities in 6 sampling belts within the sites were analyzed. The results showed that the edge effect was obvious in the ecotone with a less changing environment (such as soil and terrain) and acute variation of composition and structure, while inconspicuous or even none in the ecotone with worse environmental condition (such as great space fluctuation). It is apparent that the edge effect of community was affected by soil and terrain, but not by microclimate.