<p>Chapter 1 Introduction</p><p>1.1 Environmental setting</p><p> 1.1.1 Physiography </p><p> 1.1.2 Climate</p><p> 1.1.3 Geology</p><p> 1.2.4 Soils</p><p>1.2 Vegetation changes over geological time</p><p> 1.2.1 Vegetation in the Early Tertiary</p><p> 1.2.2 Vegetation in the Late Tertiary</p><p> 1.2.3 Vegetation in the Quaternary</p><p>1.3 Floristics and vegetation</p><p>1.4 Human influences</p><p>References</p><p>Chapter 2 Evergreen broad-leaved forests</p><p>2.1 Forest types </p><p>2.2 Species diversity</p><p>2.3 Leaf size patterns of evergreen broad-leaved trees along the altitudinal gradient</p><p> 2.3.1 Floristic changes in evergreen broad-leaved trees by altitudes</p><p> 2.3.2 Leaf size changes along the altitudinal gradient</p><p> 2.3.3 Leaf traits in the differentiation of forest types </p><p>2.4 Structure and dynamics of primary EBLFs</p><p>2.5 Secondary succession</p><p> 2.5.1 Successional trends</p><p> 2.5.2 Species diversity along the successional gradient</p><p> 2.5.3 Soil seed banks</p><p>2.6 Threats of habitat fragmentation and degradation</p><p>References</p><p>Chapter 3 Evergreen sclerophyllous Quercus communities</p><p>3.1 Distribution and community types</p><p>3.2 Species diversity and dynamics of the forests</p><p>References</p><p>Chapter 4 Warm temperate coniferous forests</p><p>4.1 Distribution and forest types</p><p>4.2 Dynamics of Pinus yunnanensis forests after a major fire</p><p> 4.2.1 Community structure and regeneration</p><p> 4.2.2 Succession</p><p> 4.2.3 A model on successional pathways</p><p>References</p><p>Chapter 5 Man-made forests</p><p>5.1 Controversial opinions</p><p>5.2 Plant diversity and regeneration dynamics </p><p>5.3 Hydrological characteristics and nutrient loss</p><p>5.4 Nutrient cycling</p><p> 5.4.1 Litter production and nutrient inputs</p><p> 5.4.2 Soil chemical properties</p><p>5.5 Ecosystem processes</p><p>References</p><p>Chapter 6 Semi-savannas in hot-dry valleys</p><p>6.1 Characteristics of hot-dry valleys</p><p>6.2 Semi-savannas</p><p> 6.2.1 Sparse woody grassland</p><p> 6.2.2 Thorny succulent shrubland</p><p>References</p><p>Chapter 7 Endemism and Tertiary relict forests</p><p>7.1 Endemism</p><p>7.2 Tertiary relict forests</p><p> 7.2.1 The Ginkgo biloba forest</p><p> 7.2.2 The Metasequoia glyptostroboides forest</p><p> 7.2.3 The Thuja sutchuenensis forest</p><p> 7.2.4 The Davidia involucrata forest</p><p> 7.2.5 The Tetracentron sinense forest</p><p> 7.2.6 The Liriodendron chinense forest, with special reference to village fengshui forest</p><p> 7.2.7 Tertiary relict trees and their habitats</p><p>References</p><p>Chapter 8 Relations to neighboring regions</p><p>8.1 Phytogeographic considerations</p><p>8.2 The subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests of SW China as compared to those in other regions</p><p> 8.2.1 As compared with other Chinese regions</p><p> 8.2.2 As compared with Japan</p><p> 8.2.3 As compared with Southeast Asia</p><p> 8.2.4 As compared with the eastern Himalayas</p><p>References</p><p>Index</p>