Abstract: The population structures and dynamics of Castanopsis sclerophylla were studied from six sampling plots in Tianmu Mountain in Zhejiang province. The results showed that all the populations of C.sclerophylla were spindle type. The age of structure of populations was declining due to lacking seedling and sapling. The overall population distribution followed a random type. Population dynamics analysis showed the spatial distribution pattern changed from aggregate type to random type during the course of population growth. One reason is that scores of seeds from populations were eaten by rodents, the other reason is that the patterns were not only closely related to the ecological and biological characteristics of each species and the relationships of competitive exclusion among them, but also to the environment. The characteristics of population reproductive mode are that the contribution rate of asexual reproduction is far greater than sexual reproduction. Maintenance and natural regeneration of C.sclerophylla populations adopted mostly sprout regeneration. To a certain extent, it affects the direction of succession. C.sclerophylla populations should restore the ecological balance through controlling rodents and transplanting seedling.

Key words: Castanopsis sclerophylla, population structure, distribution pattern, sprout