Community Heterogeneity of Fengshui Woods in Guangzhou and Its Contribution to Regional Species Diversity

Abstract:

In order to understand the community heterogeneity of fengshui woods in Guangzhou and its contribution to regional species diversity, sixty-seven fengshui wood patches in Guangzhou City, China were selected, in which a 20 m×20 m plot was set in each patch. The contribution of fengshui woods to regional species diversity was evaluated using extrapolation method of species area relationship and nonparametric method. The heterogeneity of fengshui wood communities was analyzed by separating γ-diversity according to additive rule. The results showed that at least 32.74% of regional species diversity was protected in fengshui woods. The γ-diversity (184) was mostly consisted of β-diversity (163.43) rather than α-diversity (20.57). Compared with plain region, fengshui wood community in hilly area had high species richness, phylogenetic diversity and more rare species. It was suggested that species composition in fengshui wood community had high spatial heterogeneity, and therefore it should protect fengshui wood patches as many as possible in order to preserve species diversity. Under the constraint conditions of funding and land resource, fengshui woods located in hilly areas should be preferentially considered.

Key words:Guangzhou;Fengshui wood;Species richness;Community heterogeneity;Phylogenetic diversity