A training course on measurement of tree architecture was held at XTBG during May 8 and 12. Students of XTBG and some young staff members with forest dynamics plots participated in the course. The course was co-organized by Biodiversity Committee of CAS and Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology. Dr. Yoshiko Iida, a postdoctoral researcher with Michigan State University, was invited as the keynote speaker.

The training course was composed of introduction of fundamental theory, field measurement, and data analysis. The instruments used in the training course included height poles, ultrasonic height gauges, and digital calipers, etc. The field measurement was conducted in the Arboretum within XTBG and the Green Stone Forest.

The participants chose such important tree species as Dalbergia odorifera, Tectona grandis, Parashorea chinensis, Celtis wighetii, and Cleistanthus sumatranus. They measured diameter at breast height, breast height, crown diameter, clear bole height, and height of lowest leaves, etc. Architectural variables of over 100 tree individuals were measured and analyzed in the training course.

Afterwards, the participants made a field tip to the 20-ha tropical forest dynamics plot. Dr. Lin Luxiang gave them a brief introduction.

Group photo of trainees after having field measurement

At the 20-ha plot

Group photo at the Administration Building