Studies On Forest Resources In The Slender West Lake Scenic Area

Forest resources are loaded with high levels of species and genetic diversities,which are extremely important in the maintenance of ecosystem stability,ecological environment protection and social-economic development.Thus the investigation of forest resources in urban parks has a positive effect on mastering the tree species structure and species diversity level,promoting urban green space construction and improving urban ecological environment.Slender West Lake Park is a national 5A-level scenic spot,and is committed to create a ’world-class park’that meets the requirements of ’the people of the world yearning for Yangzhou’.Therefore,clarifying the types and conditions of existing forest resources in the Slender West Lake Scenic Area is the basis for establishing a park ecosystem that is stable and in line with ecological needs,and is also the key to improve the landscape quality of the Slender West Lake Scenic Area.In this research,we explored the forest resources within the Slender West Lake Scenic Area that divided into four areas of roughly equal area(South Gate area,Ximen area,Wan Garden Phase Ⅰarea and Wan Garden Phase Ⅱ area).In terms of the distributions of roads,water bodies and buildings,we divided the four areas into 36 plaques.Then we conducted a detailed investigation of the species diameters,numbers and distribution ranges of the forest resources within the Slender West Lake Scenic Area,measured and counted on the tree species with a diameter of more than 5 cm especifically focused on the distribution and statistics of ancient and famous trees.Finally,we calculated the stock volume of the forest resources according to the ’ One of the main tree species in Jiangsu Province’ and the ’Yangshu Yiyuan Timber Volume Table’.The research yields the following major findings.(1)The South Gate area covers an area of 487 acres.The forest resources contain a total of 65 species belonging to 35 families,with a total of 8,557 plants,a total stock volume of 2185 m3 and 226 trees with a breast diameter more than 50 cm,mainly including maple,sycamore,willow,etc.;and the ratio of green and deciduous trees is about 51%to 49%.(2)The Ximen area covers an area of 501 acres.The forest resources contain a total of 62 species belonging to 32 families,with a total of 7,970 plants,a total stock volume of 1417 m3 and 55 trees with a breast diameter more than 50 cm,mainly including poplar,willow,ginkgo,etc.;and the ratio of green and deciduous trees is about 27%to 73%.(3)The Wan Garden Phase I area covers an area of 512 acres.The forest resources contain a total of 66 species belonging to 36 families,with a total of 9,850 plants,a total stock volume of 1810 m3 and 49 trees with a breast diameter more than 50 cm,mainly including ginkgo,willow,and maple,etc.;and the ratio of green and deciduous trees is about 47%to 53%.(4)The Wan Garden Phase Ⅱ area covers an area of 500 acres.The forest resources contain a total of 61 species belonging to 36 families,with a total of 7,111 plants,a total stock volume of 988 m3 and 28 trees with a breast diameter more than 50 cm,mainly including ginkgo,maple,and fragrant,etc.;and the ratio of green and deciduous trees is about 45%to 55%.(5)Slender West Lake Park covers an area of 2,000 acres(water surface covers 700 acres).The forest resources contain a total of 95 species belonging to 45 families,with a total of 33,788 plants,a total stock volume of 6,393 m3 and 358 trees belonging to 23 families with a breast diameter more than 50 cm,mainly including pterocarya stenoptera(83 strains),willow(58 strains),sycamore(39 strains),ginkgo(32 strains)and camphor(21 strains),etc.;and the ratio of green and deciduous trees is about 36%to 64%,more reasonable.(6)There are a total of 154 ancient and famous trees in the Slender West Lake Park,with a total of 32 species,belonging to 18 families and 25 genera.The maximum number of plants is 130 years,a total of 68 strains,accounting for 44.16%of the total ancient trees.Based on the investigation of the forest resources within the Slender West Lake Park,this research analyzes the current situation of the resources and the landscape,and puts forward some reasonable suggestions for the construction and maintenance of Slender West Lake Park.Firstly,rational development and maintenance;secondly,appropriate increase of seedling specifications;thirdly,increasing the proportion of native plants;fourthly,strengthening the application of large-scale flower-viewing plants in spring;fifthly,suitably increasing or descreasing the ratio of between evergreen tree and deciduous tree in some district;which would provide reference for the forestry construction of the Slender West Lake Park.