Analyses of geographical distribution and population status of Rhododendron shanii
On the basis of consulting documents and specimens, geographical distribution and population status of Rhododendron shanii Fang in Rhododendron L. were comprehensively investigated and analyzed, and also its endangered level was evaluated. The results show that R. shanii is a narrowly distributed species in the Dabie Mountain, its distribution range is only limited to a long and narrow zone with an area of 110 km in the junction district of Yuexi County, Huoshan County in Anhui Province and Yingshan County in Hubei Province, and mainly distributes on the ridge or on the slope near the ridge at altitude over 1 400 m. At present, there are only 11 natural populations of R. shanii with total occupancy area of 1. 2 km2. In which, 10 populations contain adult individuals and the total number of adults is only about 5 400. In R. shanii populations, the number of seedlings and sub-adult individuals is much less than that of adult individuals, and they mostly distribute in edge regions of populations. There are obviously differences in occupancy area and population size. The occupancy area of the biggest population is 40 hm and that of the smallest population is 2 hm . There are two populations containing thousands of adult individuals, while there are three populations containing no more than 100 adult individuals. The geographical distribution of R. shanii is discontinuous and its habitat is obviously fragmented. According to these investigation results and classification standard of IUCN endangered species red list, it is determined that the endangered level of R. shanii should be vulnerable grade (VU) at least.
NETL
NSTL
万方数据
维普
