Abstract:

The natural distribution, habitat and regeneration of Sorbus pohuashanensis were studied based on literature, specimen and on-site investigations. From the south to the north of China, most of S. pohuashanensis naturally occur in the mixed broad-leaved warm temperate forest, and some of them occur in the mixed coniferous and broad-leaved temperate forest, which is part of the humid mountain vegetation zones. The species is scattered in 4 vegetation types (including 12 forest community types): the mixed broad-leaved mountain forest, the mixed coniferous and the broad-leaved mountain forest, the pure larch mountain forest and mountain top shrub forest. The altitudinal distribution of the species ranges from 500 to 2 200 m with mainly occuring between 1 200 and 2 000 m. In Hebei, Bejing, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Jilin and Taishan, Shandong province,most of its altitudinal distribution is above 1 000 m. However, it occurs below 1 000 m in Heilongjiang province and Laoshan, Shandong province and between 800～1 000 m in Wulingshan, Hebei province. The species grows mostly on semi-sunny slopes, semi-shade slopes, shade slopes and gullies, however, it grows on sunny slopes in Wulingshan, Hebei province. The mountain brown soil and dark brown soil are the main types of soil in the whole range of the species distribution. The results suggest that the altitude, temperature and air humidity may affect the distribution of the species. The species can regenerate through seeds and sprouts from roots and stumps. The stump-sprouting is the main style of regeneration.

Key words: Sorbus pohuashanensis, geographical distribution, natural regeneration