(A) Altitudinal transects (mountain slope, Figure 4, B/C/E)
Plots in transect are labelled 1-10 from the bottom to the top of the
mountain. Transect B was a closed ravine while C was open. Transect E
was a mountain ridge. In general, there was a positive correlation
between the H index and the altitude. It clearly shows a tendency
that fern and fern allies became more diverse as the altitude increased.
Transect B had a significant correlation (P < 0.05). It
was a ravine with a closed habitat and
vegetative
plants. The humidity inside the ravine was relatively high due to well
irrigating from the upper site. Most fern and fern allies grew well in
this circumstance.
Transect C was also a ravine but aggregated by fragment rocks, and poor
vegetation. It could not keep groundwater, neither a close and humid
habitat. Fern and fern allies were rarely discovered in this site.
Transect E was a mountain ridge which could not maintain water
consistently, nor construct a humid habitat. Xerophytes bushes were well
developed on the ridge compared to fern and fern allies.