Davidia involucrata Baill is the only species in Davidiaceae. It originated from tertiary period and now is a relic plant known to the world. But now, it becomes one of the world famous ornamental tree for gardens and parks in many countries because its flowers look like flying doves ( dove tree) . In recent years, the increase of regional developing projects has led to decrease of this ancient and rare plant in nature, especially its habitats and populations. The plant has been listed in the rare and endangered plants in China. D. involucrata mainly distributed in very special niche habitats in the mountainous region of Youngzi River in China. To better understand its natural community and propose management strategy, we investigated the population structure and natural succession of D. involucrata in Hunan province. Seven plots were established in Badagongshan and Hupingshan Nature Reserves. We developed a static life table of D. involucrata based on the population life table and theory of survival analysis. Survivorship curves, mortality rate, killing power, survival rate, mortality density and hazard rate were determined. The results showed that the population structure of D.involucrata was an inverse鄄pyramid type. The death rate of young trees was higher. The D. involucrata population in Hunan province was declining. There were fewer young and old D. involucrata trees in Badagongshan and Hupingshan Nature Reserves. The young trees mainly belonged to sprouted seedlings. Population structure was fluctuated and the survival curve
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