The Composition And Characteristics Of Heritage Trees In Ethnic Minority Areas In Southwest China

Heritage trees are important carriers of traditional culture and are an important component of terrestrial biodiversity.They also have important social,cultural,and ecological values.Study of the species composition and distribution patterns of heritage trees and its relationship with nature,society and culture will provide valuable insights into the conservation of both heritage tree and biodiversity.This study investigated the species composition and distribution patterns,the health status and the minority cultural protection of heritage trees in Wuchuan County,a minority autonomous county in Southwest China.We discussed the relationships between the nature,society and the minority culture and heritage trees protection.At the same time,based on the protection status and conservation practices of heritage trees in Wuchuan County,we are to provide suggestions for the protection and legislation of heritage trees in ethnic minority areas.The main results are follows:(1)5105 heritage trees were recorded,totaling 79 species of 63 genera and 38 families.The proportion of families distributed in the tropical zone(48.27%)was similar to that in the temperate zone(48.28%).The proportion of genus distributed in the temperate zone was larger than in the tropical zone,showing a transition pattern from the tropical to temperate zone.Among the heritage tree species,10 were nationally protected species in China,9 were recorded in the China plant red data book,and 6 were listed in the red list of IUCN,which have great regional characteristics and high conservation values.(2)The majority of the heritage trees in Wuchuan County were concentrated in the DBH size-class of 50-100 cm(average DBH size: 78.1 ± 24.2 cm),and the crown size-class of 3-9 m(average crown size: 5.9 ± 2.7 m),and the height-class of 18 ~ 26 m(average height size: 15.1 ± 5.7 m).There was a significant positive correlation among the height,the crown and the DBH of the heritage trees(r = 0.145,P < 0.01;r = 0.351,P < 0.001).Heritage trees in Wuchuan county are generally healthy and well protected(93% of the individuals are healthy ones),Cunninghamia lanceolata suffered the most severe damages.(3)Heritage trees in Wuchuan County were mainly distributed at two kinds of topographic positions: 50.49% were in the valleys and 41.84% were on the slopes.For habitats,59.33% of the individuals were distributed in the villages,13.82% were in the residential sides,and 12.14% were in the cemeteries close to villages.Heritage trees are mainly distributed in the middle and low altitudinal areas(< 950 m,79.13%),but relict plants such as Taxus wallichiana var.chinensis,Liriodendron chinense,and Nyssa sinensis are distributed in high altitudinal areas.The distribution of heritage trees is correlated with population density,with the largest number of heritage trees in medium population density villages(P < 0.01).(4)The heritage trees in Wuchuan are mostly Fengshui trees,accounting for 71.79% of the total number of heritage trees.These Fengshui trees including village Fengshui trees,ancestral temple Fengshui trees,residence Fengshui trees,cemetery Fengshui trees and temple Fengshui trees.In addition,102 ‘acred tree' were worshipped by local residents,among which Cupressus funebris,Ginkgo biloba and Cunninghamia lanceolata were the main trees of worship.The protection and management of the heritage trees in Wuchuan were mainly related to the tree worship culture,taboo culture,Fengshui culture and customary laws,and played a vital role in different historical periods.