Community Characteristics and Conservation Strategies of Adiantum reniforme var.sinense, an Endemic Species in the Three-Gorge Reservoir Region

Adiantum reniforme var.sinense is an endemic species distributed only in Wanzhou District and Shizhu County of Chongqing in the Three-Gorge Reservoir Region, and is listed as the national second-class protected species in the Red Data Book of Plants in China. Random sampling method is used to study the community structure and habitat characterics of this species in this paper. The results show that the distribution range of A. reniforme var. sinense is localized in both sides of the Yangtze River from Shizhu to Wanzhou. The range of altitude is from 80 m to 480 m. The amount of populations of this species is few and the mean density is 055 cluster/m². Distribution localities of A. reniforme var. sinense are disappearing due to anthropogenic activities. Most of the localities are on the southwest slope aspect near streams. The plant community where A. reniforme var. sinense grow in can be divided into 4 types, i.e.Platycarya strobilacea-Quercus aliena-Miscanthus sinensis community, Rhus chinensis-Iris japonica community, Debregeasia edulis-Veronicastrum stenostachyum community and Vitex negundo-Lygodium japonicum community. There are 189 species with deciduous, simple-leaved and phaenerophyte abundant in the community, consisting of 5 trees, 86 shrubs,89 herbs and 9 lianas. Based on the present studies of A.reniforme var.sinense,we put forward measures for the conservation of the species.