Competitive Pattern and Process of Twelve Kinds of Ground Cover Plants in Gardens of Headwaters of the Huaihe River Basin
Abstract
The climate condition of Headwaters of the Huaihe River Basin was from north subtropical zone to warm temperate zone. The kinds of ground cover plants was very various. Twelve kinds of ground cover plants which were common in Headwaters of the Huaihe River Basin were selected to study the application performances and the quantitative research on competitive pattern. Three items of data about the distribution area,the maintenance inputs and the weed resistant ability was used to calculate the competitiveness index of ground cover plants. Results showed that the competitiveness of ground cover plants would be fully displayed when they had been planted for three to five years in Headwaters of the Huaihe River Basin. The overall competitiveness of woody plants was the stronger than herbs,and the competitiveness of vines was the strongest. But there were also a few herbs such as Oxalis corymbosa, its competitiveness was stronger than some woody plants. According to the competitiveness of the plants could guide protecting biological diversity in garden engineering.