Classification and Conservation Strategy of Geomantic Forests in Conghua Municipality, Guangdong Province

The geomantic forests inside the whole scope of Conghua Municipality, Guangdong Province were surveyed and classified by means of route survey integrated with questionnaire method. The survey showed that there were 75 patches of geomantic forests in Conghua Municipality, about 92.3% was located around the villages and houses, 1.3% around the cemeteries and graves, and 6.4% was beside the temples and monasteries. Among the geomantic forests around the villages and houses, 94.4% was believed as the Longzuo (dragon cave) forests, 2.8% was Shuikou (water source) forests, 1.4% was Dianjiao (foot stone) forests, and 1.4% was Zhaiji (house foundation) forests. Most of these geomantic forests were well reserved, with tens or hundreds years old trees. There were abundant tree species, forming stable community structure because they were well protected by local villagers with good environmental protection awareness. These geomantic forests may provide disposition of ornamental plant species in the urban area, tree species selection and the research of Lingnan civilization with much reference and guidance.