Population Structure and Survival Potentiality Analysis of Endangered Camellia luteoflora

Abstract:

In order to understand the growth characteristics and survival status of the endangered Camellia luteoflora, an inventory of C. luteoflora resources was carried out in Chishui Alsophila National Nature Reserve, Guizhou Province. The height and ground diameter of each plant were investigated by sampling method, and the population number and structural characteristics were statistically analyzed. The population was divided into specific age groups with 0.5 cm diameter interval and classified into 5 diameter class from I to XV. A static life table was drawn to analyze the survival potential and development trend of the population. The results showed that a total of 545 individuals of C. luteoflora were found in the survey, the number varied greatly in different niches, ranging from 24 to 120. The number of individuals with ground diameter less than 0.5 cm and height less than 0.5 m were very few, and the maximum population was maintained with average ground diameter of 0.5- 2 cm. The mortality and extinction rates of I-II age class (0-1.0 cm) population increased sharply, while the life expectancy decreased sharply. The mortality and life expectancy of II-XV age class (≥0.5 cm) population tended to be flat, while the extinction rates fluctuated greatly but generally tended to be flat. The population structure and survival curve showed that the population was close to Deevey-I type, belonging to the declining population. Therefore, the seedling number of C. luteoflora population was seriously insufficient, the population self-renewal was difficult, the existing population interference pressure was large, showing obvious population decline trend, it was urgented to strengthen the population conservation.

Key words:Camellia luteoflora;Population structure;Static life table;Survival curve;Endangered plant