Alpine meadow community classification and the vegetation distribution pattern analysis on the southern slope of Mt. Jade Dragon
Based on the field investigation measurement and simulation of habitat characteristic (global solar radiation,soil wetness index and habitat temperature) on the landscape scale,vegetation type on the southern slope of Mt.Jade Dragon were classificated by TWINSPAN classification method,and relationship between meadow vegetation and direct environmental factors were explained by CCA ordination method.The results of this study showed that; 1) the alpine meadow vegetation can be divided into four plant associations,Ass.Gyananthus macrocalyx,Ass.Kobresia tunicata + Potentilla stenophylla,Ass.Kobresia spp.+Chesneya polystichoides ,and Ass.Festuca vierhapperi; 2) habitat temperature as well as soil organic matter content and soil total nitrogen content acted as the key factors determining the alpine meadow community distribution patterns.