Dovetree (Davidia involucrate), one of the first-class protective plants in China, is a relic species of paleotropical kingdom in Tertiary period, belonging toDavidiaceae with a single genus. In recent years, the increase of regional developing projects has led to a sharp decrease of this ancient and rare plant in naturally distributed habitats and natural population. In this paper, the biological and ecological characteristics of Dovetree were described, and the geographically distributed condition of this species in different geologic periods as well as the major reasons for dynamic changes of its population were systematically analyzed in accordance with field researches and references. The investigations conducted in different years by setting up standard sample plots showed that the population number of Dovetree increased yearly in the areas without human interference but decreased yearly in the areas with human interference. With the increase of population density and human activities decreased as the logarithmic curve:Y=?100.7ln(x)+178.09, and it has turned from a dominant population into an endangered population. Based on the former and present studies on Dovetree, some protection strategies were put foreword for protecting this ancient and rare species. Keywords Davidia involucrate - Dovetree - Geographical Distribution - Biological Characteristics - Protection Policy CLC number S718.4 Document code A Article ID 1007-662X(2004)01-0039-06 Foundation Item: This research was coordinated by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 39970591)Biography: Wu Gang (1965-), Male, Professor in Key Laboratory of Systems Ecology, Research Center for Eco Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.Responsible editor: Chai Ruihai
