Vegetation Mapping And GAP Analysis Of The Longmenhe Region,Shennongjia(CHINA)

Longmenhe region, lies in the South slopes of Shennongjia, is the transitional area from middle to north Subtropical China. In this thesis, we finished regressed vegetation map according to the geographic positions of the region, the rules of distributing of vegetation along altitude gradient, etc. Moreover, on the grounds of basis of this map and other materials such as TM image, Xiaoban map of local forestry center and field works, we finished vegetation map in the Formation Level (scale 1:50,000), and farther vectorial database of vegetation. The result of study displayed that there were 69 formations (279 patches) that which belong to 11 vegetation types occurring in this region. In these vegetation types, the area of 4 natural vegetation types and 4 vegetation types, disturbed by human activities and natural forces, occupy 60.1 percent and 23.1 percent respectively. The other remain area (about 16.8 percent) belongs to artificial vegetation. After regressed map being overlaid with actual vegetation map and farther analysis, we learned that the vegetation of the region was disturbed seriously by human activities, such as haggling trees, building roads. By using MapInfo Professional 6.0, we achieved the special vector database about the topography and vegetation of Longmenhe region. On the base of it, we assessed the reserve programming in Longmenhe National Forest Park. From the angle of conservation, expect for Betula lumEn fera Formation, Quercus variabilis Formation and Cunninghamia lanceolata- Betula lumin~fera Formation, the higher managing class includes all natural vegetation types. It means this program delegated absolute majority of natural formation and the execution of it is in good conditions now However, the importance of the river buffer where the valuable and rare species are quite dense haven抰 been recognized by the managers there. As a result, only 30.62 percent of the buffer was protected. From the angle of the vegetation protection, 26.65 percent is managed improperly in the region, which is unfitted to hold the water and soil. Considering the biodiversity protection and living standard of local residents, the thesis listed a series of rational proposal focusing on some important items in the future manage work.