Abstract: The vegetation cover types and their distribute changes in Cangshan mountain were studied by combining vegetation ecological remote sensing and field investigations. Based remote sensing analysis of vegetation, the results showed the vertical vegetation spectrum distribution pattern was obvious in Cangshan mountain, and the community types and their interconversion in the
subalpine vegetation zone were complicated. The Abies delavayi forest, as the core protected object, was mainly distributed in the alpine zone of eastern slope. With the establishment of protected area, the fractional of vegetation coverage of Cangshan mountain increased significantly, and all functional zones had been fully restored to high coverage vegetation. Through the field vegetation community investigation, the community structure of Abies delavayi forest and Lithocarpus variolosus forest was stable, and at some elevations, the communities of Pinus yunnanensis forest, Pinus armandi forest and Alnus nepalensis forest were at risk of decline. Compared to the previous single method of scientific investigation, this remote sensing image could effectively improve the deciphering of vegetation cover types and their interconversions in Cangshan mountain. At the same time, the results from remote sensing analysis and field investigation can support each other well. However, it is still necessary to conduct field investigations and verifications of subformation, alliance and association of various vegetation communities.

Key words: vegetation type, vertical vegetation spectrum, vegetation cover changes, community structure and succession