Effects of artificial tending on understory biological diversity in Eucalyptus plantations

【Objective】The influence of artificial tending on understory biological diversity was studied in order to provide references for promoting scientific management of Eucalyptus plantations. 【Method】Typical forest stands were chosen for setting investigation plots to investigate plant name, plant number, height, cover degree and density. By calculating important value and diversity index, influence level of artificial tending on understory biological diversity in Eucalyptus plantations was analyzed. 【Result】Four-year-old Eucalyptus plantations on artificial tending and without tending had 29 and 53 shrubs as well as 10 and 16 herbs, respectively. Individual density, height of shrub layer and density of herbaceous layer in Eucalyptus on artificial tending were the lowest, which were 40.8%, 28.8% and 11.9%, respectively. Evenness index of shrub layer in Eucalyptus plantations on artificial tending was 17.2% higher than plantation without tending, but diversity index H', D and J of shrub layer and herb layer of Eucalyptus plantations on artificial tending had no significant difference. 【Conclusion】Artificial tending remarkably reduced individual density and height of shrubs as well as individual density and species richness of herbs. Proper artificial tending is an effective method for conserving and maintaining biodiversity in plantations.