title: Effects of tsaoko (Fructus tsaoko) cultivating on tree diversity and canopy structure in the habitats of eastern hoolock gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys).
abstract: In this study, the quadrat method was used to study the effects of tsaoko (Fructus tsaoko) plantation on tree diversity and canopy structure of two natural habitats of eastern hoolock gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys): Nankang (characterized by extensive tsaoko plantation) and Banchang (relatively well reserved and without tsaoko plantation). Totally, 102 tree species from 25 families and 16 woody liana species from 10 families were recorded in Nankang, whereas 108 tree species from 30 families and 17 woody liana species from 12 families were recorded in Banchang. Although the tree species between two habitats is different, both habitats are characterized by enriched food resources for eastern hoolock gibbons, sharing similar dominant plant families. Due to tsaoko plantation, tree density proportion and diversity of forest layerⅠ (>20 m) in Nankang were both significantly decreased, but the tree density of layerⅡ (10-20 m) increased. Likewise, in conjunction with these behavioral observations, we also address potential impacts of tsaoko plantation on the behavior of eastern hoolock gibbon.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control in Yunnan Province, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; Institute of Eastern-Himalaya Biodiversity Research, Dali University, Dali 671003, China.
authors.forename: Sheng-Dong
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: Institute of Eastern-Himalaya Biodiversity Research, Dali University, Dali 671003, China.
authors.forename: Han-Lan
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Fei
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control in Yunnan Province, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; Institute of Eastern-Himalaya Biodiversity Research, Dali University, Dali 671003, China.
authors.forename: Shao-Han
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control in Yunnan Province, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China. gcuilw@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Liang-Wei
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.affiliation: Gaoligongshan National Natural Reserve, Baoshan, Yunnan 678000, China.
authors.forename: Huai-Sen
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Ai
authors.affiliation: Institute of Eastern-Himalaya Biodiversity Research, Dali University, Dali 671003, China. fanpf1981@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Peng-Fei
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Fan
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D035801:Amomum / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002681:China; D017753:Ecosystem; D005638:Fruit; D006922:Hylobates / Q000502:physiology*; D014197:Trees / Q000145:classification*
keywords: Canopy structure; Eastern hoolock gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys); Fructus tsaoko plantation; Habitat; Mt. Gaoligong; Tree diversity