Formation, distribution, and nature ofPicea mongolica in China

Picea mongolica is an endemic and endangered species in China. Ecosystem made ofPicea mongolica is a special sandy forest ecosystem in China. It is found at ecotone between forest and steppe, or agricultural district and pas toral area. Based on investigation, this paper discussed the formation and distribution ofPicea mongolica and studied its nature according to ecotone theory. It is clarified thatPicea mongolica belongs toPicea meyeri series. That is to say, it became a local race through long-term adaptation to the local climate, then formed allopatric semi-species, and finally turned into a taxonomical species.Picea mongolica forest is a super zonal climax community developing in ecotone between forest zone and steppe zone. Foundation item: The study was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (39670133, 39900019, 30070129). Biography: ZOU Chun-jing (1968-), male, Ph.D, associate researcher fellow in Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Science, Shenyang 110015, P. R. China Responsible editor: Chai Ruihai