Patterns of Indigenous Tree Species Distribution in Guangdong Province and the Implications for Tree Introduction

摘要

Distribution pattern of 1148 indigenous tree species in Guangdong province and their relations to the environment were investigated based on the 0.5°×0.5° latitude-longitude grid system. The results showed that indigenous tree species richness increased with increasing latitude. Richness peaked in the middle of the study area with longitudinal gradient. Four ecological areas for indigenous tree species distribution were delimited using cluster analysis and TWINSPAN (two-way indicator species analysis). Indicator Species Analysis showed a significant difference was found in indicator species distribution across latitude gradient and the 4 ecological areas. Northern mountain areas and southern coastal areas possessed most of the indicator species (IV ≥ 0.7), among which Celtis philippensis, Gironniera cuspidata and Symplocos chunii were strongly indicative of the environmental characteristics. The study of distribution patterns and classification of ecological areas, which reflects different geographical and climatic characteristics, will be of significant implications for introduction of indigenous tree species from natural ecological areas.