OBJECTIVETo study the community characteristics of Acanthopanax giraldii and its role and adaptability in the community.

METHODThe methods of community ecology were used to investigate vegetation composition in different sample plots and the number of the clumps and clonal ramets. The importance value of species and biodiversity index of each plot was calculated. The life form spectra in different community were counted. The chi-square test was applied to analyze the dependence degree of A. giraldii to other main shrub species in the community.

RESULTThe investigation had showed that A. giraldii community could be divided into three types. The number of A. giraldii population in each type had great difference. Statistical analysis had shown that there's no correlation between the growth of A. giraldii with biodiversity and no significant interspecific association between A. giraldii and other main shrub species in the community yet.

CONCLUSIONThe population growth of A. giraldii was sensitive to Sunshine. A. giraldii maybe has the biological characteristics for artificial planting as a single population.

China ; Ecosystem ; Eleutherococcus ; classification ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo study age structure and medicinal parts biomass accumulation of Acanthopanax giraldii population in West Sichuan Plateau.

METHODThe methods of plant population ecology were applied to the study. The ramets of A. giraldii were collected in sample plot, survey the age, height, basal diameter and biomass of ramets,and also survey the number,stem bark height and length of the one-year-shoot growing in clonal ramets. Then statistically analyzed the survey data.

RESULTThe article revealed growth rule of A. giraldii population. The mortality rate of clonal ramets reached a peak after six years growth. The power exponential fuction could reflect the correlation of age to the height, basal diameter and biomass of ramets. The production of medicinal parts was stable between two to six years growth of clonal ramets.

CONCLUSIONSuggested to harvest medicinal parts after three years growth of the clonal ramets. The study could provide biologic basis to population management and sustainable harvest of A. giraldii.

Biomass ; Ecosystem ; Eleutherococcus ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; Time Factors