Characteristics of the Castanopsis hainanensis + Cratoxylum cochinchinense community in Mt. Mihouling Nature Reserve, Hainan, China

The floristic composition, characteristics, and species diversity of the Castanopsis hainanensis Merr. and Cratoxylum cochinchinense (Lour.) Blume community in Mt. Mihouling of Hainan were studied. Results showed that: (1) Over an area of 2500 m², a total of 85 vascular plant species were recorded, belonging to 73 genera and 39 families. The spermatophyte flora was mainly tropical. (2) Life form was dominated by phanerophytes, accounting for 94.12%. Leaf form was dominated by mesophylls, accounting for 71.76%. (3) The dominant population was in the growth stage. The community species frequency distribution was A > C > B > E > D. (4) Species diversity of the community was relatively poor with a Margalef index of 9.85, evenness index of 0.74, Simpson index of 0.95, and Shannon-Wiener index of 3.29. This study showed that the position of the dominant population was obvious, but seedling regeneration was insufficient and community evenness and diversity indices were low. Thus, the local protection should be strengthened.