Composition and structure of mountain forests containing two tropical pines, Pinus krempfii and Pinus dalatensis, on the Da Lat Plateau, southern Vietnam

Abstract

AbstractWe examined the floristic composition and stand structure of tropical mountain forests containing two pine species, Pinus krempfii Lecomte and Pinus dalatensis Ferré, on the Da Lat Plateau in southern Vietnam. A total of 92 tree species were identified, and the greatest species richness at the family level was found in Lauraceae and Fagaceae. Both pine species grew to more than 25 m in height and spread their crowns over the continuous canopy layer. Under crowns of P. krempfii, Castanopsis chinensis, Trigonobalanus verticillata, Engelhardia roxburghiana, and Dendropanax hainanensis constituted the continuous canopy layer. Under crowns of P. dalatensis, pioneer species such as Schima wallichii, Exbucklandia populnea, and Pentaphylax euryoides along with gymnosperms such as Dacrycarpus imbricatus and Dacrydium elatum constituted the continuous canopy layer. Juveniles of P. krempfii were prevalent on the forest floor, but juveniles of P. dalatensis were scarce. We suggest that two pine species have different regeneration requirements related to disturbance and soil condition.