Forest characteristics, population structure and growth trends of threatened relict Pseudotsuga forrestii in China

Pseudotsuga forrestii is a relict evergreen coniferous tree species in Pinaceae endemic to China. P. forrestii tree numbers have greatly decreased due to deforestation, over-utilization and habitat degradation. Here we clarify P. forrestii community types, structure, species diversity, seedling recruitments and growth trends. We identified four P. forrestii community types: (1) Pseudotsuga forrestii - Quercus guyavifolia - Acer davidii evergreen coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest; (2) Pseudotsuga forrestii - Pinus yunnanensis - Quercus guyavifolia evergreen coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest; (3) Pseudotsuga forrestii evergreen coniferous forest; (4) Pseudotsuga forrestii - Abies georgei var. smithii evergreen coniferous forest. P. forrestii forests are characterized by both warm temperate and temperate affinities. Simpson diversity, Pielou evenness, Shannon–Wiener diversity indices ranged from 0.75 to 0.76, 0.74–0.81, and 1.62–1.93, respectively, with no significant differences among the four forest types. The forest stratification was multilayered. The canopy layer was generally 10–25 m tall, with the emergent layer reached 25–42 m. DBH and age structures of P. forrestii showed multimodal distributions. Its maximum age P. forrestii was 570 years with a DBH of 143 cm. The growth of annual ring width of P. forrestii was slow, and generally decreased with age, whereas the basal area at the breast height increased with age. Established seedlings/saplings were mainly found in unstable micro-habitats. Regeneration of P. forrestii depends on moderate natural disturbances. Finally, we provide recommendations for P. forrestii conservation. •Pseudotsuga forrestii is the 1st dominant species in four forest types.•All P. forrestii populations had multimodal distributions of DBHs and ages.•The growth of annual ring width of P. forrestii was slow.•P.forrestii seedlings are light demanding and require moderate natural disturbances for regeneration.