| Nanyue Mountain, one of the well-known "Five Mountains" of China, is located in the center by southeast of Hunan province. It is a nation-wide key senic spot, an AAAAA-level tourism area and a national nature reserve. The forest in Nanyue Mountain is characteristic of the phenomenon of "three mores and three lesses": more coniferous forest and less broad-leaf forest, more regular forest and less polylayer forest, more pure forest and less mingled forest. Its simple structure of forest vegetation, high distribution of secondary forest, singular forest form, low ecological benefit and poor landscape view, all these cannot meet the demand to develop ecological tourism. Therefore, it is important to accelerate the succession of forest groups, improve forest quality, increase the variety of forest group and sight effect and restore the zonal forest vegetation in Nanyue (or Hengshan) Moutain to its original multi-species, multi-layer, multi-color, multi-view, multi-function and multi-benefit. To achieve this purpose, we have abided by the phytoecological theory, utilized the "close-to-nature" management principle and the quasi-ecological afforestation technology of simulating natural ecological forest, followed the objective natural law of forest succession from pioneer forest to transitional forest to basic forest to mature forest, and hence got rid of the destructive impact of traditional forestation on forest vegetation and landscape in the particular ecological environment of Nanyue Mountain. What we have done is intentionally intervene the succession of forest groups and help their growth by planting trees in the pioneer forest of pinus massoniana, cunninghamia lanceolata and cryptomeria fortunei. In so doing, the zonal forest vegetation has been restored in Nanyue Mountain.The research of many years, especially of the last three years, has led to the following results:1. We have scientifically divided and confirmed the vertical population elevation scope of the zonal forest vegetation in Nanyue Mountain and the corresponding climate zone of the mountainous area. After investigating the residual zonal forest vegetation in Nanyue Mountain and applying the three heat indexes currently used in dividing horizontal climate zone - the number of the days with a temperature higher than or equal to 10℃, the accumulated temperature higher than or equal to 10℃, and the average temperature in January, we have determined the vertical distribution elevation scope as follows: the upper distribution limit of the montane broad-leaf evergreen forest belt is the altitude of 450 metres, the montane deciduous broad-leaf evergreen forest belt is from the altitude of 450 metres to 600 metres, the montane deciduous broad-leaf forest belt lies between the altitude of 600 metres to 1100 metres, and the top of the mountain and the ridge above the altitude of 1100 metres are covered with the montane elfin forest.2. We have worked out our principles for restoration of zonal forest vegetation by planting trees in pioneer forest. Listed below is what we have adopted:(1) Suitable trees for suitable areas and quasi-ecological afforestation.(2) Priority of preservation principle.(3) Ecological design.(4) Integration and coordination.3. We have determined the tree species for afforestation in the different altitude areas of Nanyue Mountain, in adherence to "suitable tree species for suitable areas".4. We have established our way of restoring zonal forest vegetation by planting in pioneer forest. In consideration of the development of potential tree species and forest vegetation population together with forest site and succession stage, we have arranged 108 tree species for 75 forest community types on the particular condition of the experiment and demonstration plot in Nanyue Mountain. Through scientific protection and management, 95.8 percent of the planted trees have been determined with a medium or higher growth vigor after eighteen years of growth. The restoration of forest vegetation is successful.5. The most suitable altitude for forest production in Nanyue Mountain is the altitude of about 400 metres.The artificial forest under pioneer forest is better than those formed by flying seeds of pinus massoniana and montane shrubs and grass as far as anti-erosion and soil protection are concerned.
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