Vegetation changes at the Kuantu Nature Reserve during 1986-1998
Journal
Taiwan Journal of Forest Science
Journal Volume
17
Journal Issue
1
Pages
41-50
Date Issued
2002
Author(s)
Abstract
A systematic survey was used to investigate the vegetation structure of the Kuantu Nature Reserve, northern Taiwan in 1998. In totals 16 transects were carried out in the study area to investigate vegetation types and relative coverage. Meanwhile, along with each transect, a 2 × 2-m quadrat was sampled with 20-m intervals to record vegetation type, coverage, numbers of Kandelia, and the diameter of Kandelia at breast height. Additionally, field elevation surveys were conducted along with each transect at 10-m intervals. The results were used to compare with findings from 1986 in order to understand how the vegetation has changed during 1986-1998 and to estimate the accretion rate in the study area. The results revealed that the marsh habitat in 1986, dominated by Cyperus, Phragmites, and Kandelia, had changed into a swamp habitat dominated by Kandelia and Phragmites by 1998. Transect coverages of Kandelia, Phragmites, and bare land were 61.3, 25.5, and 13.2%, respectively, and Cyperus had disappeared. Relative coverage of Kandelia in the study area was approximately 70.6% of the total vegetation area. The total number of Kandelia was 3666, of which the ratio of samplings and trees to seedlings was about 1:3.8. The size-class distribution of the Kandelia population showed a reversed J-shape which is similar to the results from 1986. The elevation range for Kandelia and Phragmites was 0.2-1.3 and 0.3-1.6 m, respectivelY. Elevation of bare land was below 1.2 m. The elevation range of Kandelia significantly differented from that of the Phragmites (α = 0.05), a result similar to that from 1986. On average, the accretion rate in the study area during 1986-1998 was about 2.0 cm/yr.
Subjects
Accretion rate; Kandelia; Kuantu Nature Reserve
SDGs
Other Subjects
Forestry; Surveys; Field elevation surveys; Vegetation; Cyprus; Deposition; Drawings; Forestry; Kandelia; Phragmites; Plants; Surveys
Type
journal article