Abstract:

Forest fragmentation may lead deleterious consequences for plant community.Species richness and composition of fragmented,peninsular and continuous evergreen broad-leaved forests were investigated to evaluate fragmentation effects. Fragmented torests contain more apecies than continuous forests with comparable areas.Species richness is lowest in peninsular plots. Peninsular forests have few or comparable species richness. There are more exotic species (cultivated and escaped) in fragmented and peninsular plots than in continuous forests. Our study shows that patch size plays important role in species richness and composition. However, the surrounding matrix, time experiencing fragmentation and human disturbance also affect the plant species and composition. Liana is very low in disturbed peninsular forests and refllects the worse forest quality. It may be a useful indicator for conservation and management of evergreen broad-leaved forests under intensive human disturbance areas in eastern China.

Key words: forest fragmentation, species richness, species composition, Evergreen broad-leaved forests, forest fragmentation, species richness, species composition