Abstract: In this study, the habitat, soil seed banks and natural regeneration of Acer griseum were investigated systematically. As a sub-climax species and an associated tree species, A. griseum scattered in the mountainous broad-leaved mixed forests, and the mountainous coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forests in addition to the mountaintop shrub forests. The species thrived mostly on semi-sunny slopes, semi-shade slopes, shade slopes and gullies. It grew in the mountain brown soil, yellow brown soil and mountain cinnamon soil. The thickness of soil layer, in which the species grew, was from the bare rock to about 30 cm soil range, some trees even grew in rock crevices. It naturally regenerated mainly by seeds, followed by some stump-sprouting and root sprouting. Most of the seeds in soil seed bank were stored in the litter layer. There were 172 seeds ·m^-2 in the litter, while only 42 seeds ·m^-2 between 0 to 10 cm soil layer in Yuanling, Hunan province. Few or no seeds were found in deeper soil layer than 10 cm. The amount of seeds was negatively correlated with the distance from the parent tree and the wind also could contribute to seed dispersal. All the above results indicated that reduction of the quantity of A. griseum wild resources might be due to bad habitat, low seed yield and high percentage of empty seeds, difficulty of seed germination, as well as the poor environmental conditions for natural regeneration of the seedlings.

Key words: Acer griseum, geographical distribution, soil seed bank, natural regeneration