Abstract:Based on meteorological data recorded for about 3-5 years in four forests at different elevation in Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve, the differences in forest temperature and moisture were analyzed. The results showed that the mean air temperature and relative humidity in Pinus massoniana forest, broad-leaved and coniferous mixed forest, ravine rain forest, and mountain evergreen broad-leaved forest were 22.7℃, 80%; 20.9℃, 82%; 20.4℃, 87%; and 19.2℃, 81%, respectively, while annual mean daily range of air temperatures were 5.9℃, 4.6℃, 3.6℃, and 3.1℃, respectively. The capacity of the decrease of maximum air temperature in forests was the principal factor of decreasing the annual mean differences in daily range of temperature. The moisture degree indicated that all the four forests were humid annually, but different monthly. Analysis showed that differences in temperature among the four forests were caused by the changes in micro-topography, vegetation type, and altitudinal level. To rationally evaluate the effect of various forests on microclimate, we must consider the differences caused by factors as mentioned above.
