Damage by typhoon Hato compared among three different plant communities in Macau, China

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Botany
• Climatology

Background:

• Tropical cyclones are significant climatic disasters with profound ecological impacts.
• These events influence forest composition, dynamics, and can trigger ecosystem succession.
• Understanding typhoon impacts is crucial for ecological resilience and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the extent and severity of Typhoon Hato's impact on three primary plant communities in Macau.
• To evaluate damage across different levels: sample plots, species, diameter at breast height (DBH), and community structure.
• To identify plant characteristics and community structures that confer resistance or vulnerability to typhoons.

Main Methods:

• Categorization of plant damage into seven degrees (0-6), with 6 being most severe.
• Evaluation of typhoon impact using a damage index (DI) at various ecological levels.
• Comparative analysis of damage across Guia Hill, Taipa Grande, and Ka Ho plant communities.

Main Results:

• Guia Hill's sub-climax community exhibited the highest damage index (55.28%).
• Ka Ho's shoreline shrub community was also significantly impacted (DI: 48.14%).
• Taipa Grande's managed secondary forest showed the least damage (DI: 32.66%), with shorter canopy species experiencing less direct wind damage.

Conclusions:

• Different plant communities exhibit varying susceptibility to typhoon damage based on structure and species composition.
• Guia Hill's tall canopy trees and dense understory were vulnerable to direct and secondary damage.
• The study suggests that identifying and utilizing wind-resistant local species can aid in post-typhoon ecological restoration.