Abstract:

A 1∶50 000 scale aerial image of Chongming Island in 2005 was interpreted. GIS spatial analysis integrated with landscape pattern method were used to investigate community composition and structure of the coastal shelterbelts intending to comprehensively understand the structure and function heterogeneity with the calculation of completeness, pattern metrics and porosities. The result showed that completeness of the coastal shelterbelt in the Island was only 21% with obvious spatial heterogeneity. The completeness of the west and south coast was higher than those of the north and east part. Landscape metrics analysis disclosed that current shelterbelts were inconsecutive with small dispersedly distributing patches. The west and east coast had better continuity than the south and north part. Community structure and function investigation revealed that porosities of only a few plots can attain the optimum value, and wind breaking effect of the existing shelterbelts were poor. This paper proposed suggestions concerning quantity, structure and spatial distribution of future coastal shelterbelts construction, and also put forward the orientation of further research method and content in regard to coastal shelterbelts.

Key words: Chongming Island, shelterbelt, structure and function, spatial heterogene