Abstract:Rhododendron pudingense is a new species in genus Rhododendron. The population structure and spatial distribution pattern of R. pudingense were analyzed by means of smoothing technique and mean ratio in four distribution regions first discovered in Guizhou Province. The results showed that there were 1113 indivduals, including 611 in Qinglong, 308 in Wangmo, 83 in Puding and 111 in Zhenning. The population of R. pudingense was mainly concentrated in the first and second age classes. The survival curves of population in Qinglong, Wangmo and Puding showed Deevey-Ⅱ type, while that in Zhenning showed Deevey-Ⅲ type. The distribution patterns of all populations were aggregated. The population of R. pudingense in the four distribution areas belonged to the growth type. However, due to the small number of R. pudingense in the distributed forest community, it was in a subordinate position in species composition of community, the vulnerability of its habitat caused by a large amount of bare bedrock in the growth area, the new species of R. pudingense might be eliminated by other species in the forest community if human disturbance measures are not strengthened to protect R. pudingense.
