Evergreen Sclerophyllous Quercus Communities

Abstract

Sixteen evergreen sclerophyllous Quercus species (Quercus Subgen. Quercus sect. Brachylepides and Quercus subgen. Quercus sect. Engleriana) are found within 23–32° N in China, mainly in Yunnan, western Sichuan, southeastern Tibet and western Guizhou. They exhibit exceptional environmental adaptations, ranging from the subtropical to the altitudinal subalpine/alpine zones. Twenty-two evergreen Quercus communities are recorded in SW China. Among them, two types are distinguished. The first type, the Quercus forests, grow in cold-dry or subhumid environments at high altitudes. The second type, the Quercus scrub communities, are found both on mountain slopes and in warm- or hot-dry valleys. The Quercus scrub communities are similar to the Maquis growing in areas of Mediterranean-type climate such as Spain and California. The Quercus forests have high dominance concentration (usually by a single species) and limited species diversity, with sparse ground vegetation including herbaceous species and climbing plants, and low seedling establishment that is complimented by sprouting. In all respects they are similar to the Quercus agrifolia forest of central coastal California (USA) and a Quercus ilex community of Catalonia (NE Spain).