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Seedling dynamics were studied in thirty small piots of 5×1㎡ in a 3-ha permanent plot established in Nanjenshan subtropical rain forest on Hengchun peninsula, tagged, identified, measured and recensused every month.
A total of 3500 seedlings in 73 species were analyzed by 14censuses and survivorship of all tagged seedlings was 69.94%.
Survivorship of the first census was 80.75%, comprising 1673
individuals of mixed ages and species. The density varied
seasonally by birth and death of seedlings. There were two main
birth seasons, one is between winter to spring, i.e. December to
March, and the other is during summer between June to July. Most
seedlings were dead within first three months after birth, and
the peaks were concentrated form April to August.
Seedling density was higher in the windward habitat than in the leedward habitat. The intermediate habitat had the highest diversity. The leedward habitat showed a seasonal variation. The Highest survivorship was found in the intermediate habitat, while the leedward habitat was the lowest. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) suggested that seedlings composition and distribution were influenced by aspect, soil moisture and vegetation type.
Prior to my study, seedling assemblage of compostition and structure appeared to reflect the adult community at Nanjenshan.
Different habitats and regeneration strategy were the main
factors influencing seedlings establishment.
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