Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the forest composition and structure in the Lienhuachih Research Experimental Forest for forest classification and establishing a successional model. Fiftythree 20×20-m plots were established. Forest types, based on the floristic composition of the plots, were classified using tabular comparison methods. Five forest types and 2 subtypes were identified and described, Trema cannabina-Mallotus paniculatus forest type, Wendlandia formosana- Schefflera octophyll forest type, Castanopsis cuspidate-Randia cochinchinensis forest type, Turpinia formosana-Schefflera octophyll forest type (Ficus fistulosa subtype and Machilus kusanoi subtype), and Cyclobalanopsis pachyloma-Engelhardia roxburghian forest type. Relationships of the detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) major gradient axis with environmental variables and vegetation structure variables were calculated using Pearson correlation coefficients. Results show that these forest types were interpreted as levels in a successional sequence ranging from an early-successional stage to a mid-successional stage and late-successional stage. There were 2 successional pathways. One was found in the ridge environment sere, from the Trema cannabina- Mallotus paniculatus forest type and Wendlandia formosan-Schefflera octophyll forest type to the Castanopsis cuspidate-Randia cochinchinensis forest type and Cyclobalanopsis pachyloma-Engelhardia roxburghian forest type. The other pathway was in the more-humid valley environment sere, which ranged from the Trema cannabina-Mallotus paniculatus forest type to Wendlandia formosan-Schefflera octophyll forest type and Turpinia formosana-Schefflera octophyll forest type (Ficus fistulosa subtype and Machilus kusanoi subtype).