Abstract:

In order to understand the adaptive response of C. equisetifolia.L to environmental stress and its adaptive strategy in different growth and developmental phases, architectural characteristics of C. equisetifolia.L were analyzed to provide theoretical guidance for coastal protection forest construction of China. In Dahe state-owned forest farm, Fujian Province, the branching patterns of C. equisetifolia. L in different growth and developmental phases were examined. The results showed that overall bifurcation ratio and stepwise bifurcation (SBR1:2) didn’t vary significantly among different phases, but the stepwise bifurcation (SBR2:3) in sapling phase was significantly lower than that in the mature phase (P<0.05). The first order branch angle to horizon and the second order branch angle to horizon in seedling stage were significantly different with the mature and the sapling stages. In different development stages, the architectural comparison showed that: in mature tree stage, forced by the wind, tree’s growth slowed down and the branching of C. equisetifolia.L grew downward relative to the horizontal plane. In seedling stage, tree’s height grew rapidly to obtain enough sunlight for photosynthesis, so the first order branch angle to horizon and the second order branch angle to horizon of it performed the trend of upward relative to the horizontal plane. In sapling stage, the branching of C. equisetifolia.L also performed the trend of downward relative to the horizontal plane. The length and width of branchlet showed no obvious regularity in seedling, sapling and mature stages. The interval of branchlet performed the trend of decreasing gradually from seedling, sapling to mature stages.