Patch characteristics of forest landscape element for Xiaokeng Small Watershed, Laoshan Nature Reserve, Anhui Province.

In order to provide a theoretical basis for conservation and management of the forest landscape in Xiaokeng Small Watershed in Laoshan Nature Reserve，Anhui Province，the patch characteristics of forest landscape element were analyzed. The results showed that a mixed evergreen and deciduous broadleaf forest with an area of 66.5% and perimeter of 50.7% of the total research area was dominant. Phyllostachys pubescens forest，Cunninghamia lanceolata forest and Camellia sinensis plantation comprised 25.7% of the total area and 37.9% of the perimeter. In Xiaokeng，many small patches with a relatively fine grain structure dominated the forest landscape element. The area，perimeter，and number of patches of different forest landscape element were very uneven；the distribution trend of perimeter of different forest landscape element is similar to that of area，while the distribution of the number of patches has no obvious regularity，and the order of the numbers of patches，area，perimeter is very different； the patch shape of forest landscape elements is relatively simple. Patch characteristics indicated that the degree of fragmentation for the natural broadleaf forest was lower than for artificial landscapes of Phyllostachys pubescens，Cunninghamia lanceolata，and Camellia sinensis. Therefore，to maintain sustainable development in the region，and especially to enhance protection for the broadleaf forest matrix，intense human activity and tourism should be reduced. ［Ch，6 tab. 20 ref.］