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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2014, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (5): 1-7.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.20140501

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Application of Self-Organizing Feature Map to Classification and Ordination of Picea wilsonii Forest in Luya Mountain Nature Reserve

Li Linfeng, Zhang Jintun, Zhou Lan, Shao Dan   

  1. College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University Beijing 100875
  • Received:2013-02-18 Revised:2013-07-11 Online:2014-05-25 Published:2014-06-06
  • Contact: 张金屯

Abstract:

The self-organizing feature map (SOM) was applied to the classification and ordination of Picea wilsonii forests in the Luya Mountain Nature Reserve. It was shown that 60 quadrats were classified into 8 groups, representing 8 types of plant communities. These communities had obvious differences in species composition and structure. Each type had its boundary and distributional range on the ordination map. The SOM clustering showed significant ecological meanings and revealed the relationships among communities. Additionally, by using a visualizing method of environmental factor gradient on topology map, SOM indicated that elevation, slope position and slope were the main environmental factors affecting the distribution of P. wilsonii forests. The SOM ordination clearly showed ecological gradients and revealed the relationships among communities and environmental factors. This study suggests that SOM is a very effective quantitative technique in plant ecology, and it is applicable to describe community characteristics and to analyze relationship between communities and environmental variables.

Key words: Luya Mountain Nature Reserve, Picea wilsonii forest, self-organizing feature map, classification

CLC Number: