[Objective] In order to provide theoretical evidences for the selection and arrangement of plants on damaged slope in South China

a research on plant niche for slope rehabilitation were conducted. [Methods] Community investigation of four typical slope restoration projects in Shenzhen City were carried out. Niche breadth and niche overlap were analyzed based on the important values of plants. [Results] The investigated plants belonged to 53 families

among which

Euphorbiaceae

Asteraceae

Leguminosae were in a majority. Species of Leucocephala

Tephrosia candida

Mimosa sepiariia comparatively had large important values. Shrub niche breadth ranked similarly with their important values. Leucaena leucocephala

Heteropanax fragrans and Tephrosia candida ranked higher. For herbaceous species layer

Cyclosorus parasiticus

Pteris semipinnata and other ferns had relatively higher niche breadths. Niche overlap indicated that competition among Leucaena leucocephala

Heteropanax fragrans and Syzygium cumini was intensive

while competition intensity among Trema cannabina

Rhaphiolepis Schefflera octophylla and other plants was small. For slope rehabilitation

those plants with wider niche breadth and strong vigor were suggested to be used as pioneer species

such as Leucaena leucocephala and Acacia mangium. In addition

plants havingsmall niche overlap with the dominant species should also be selected reasonably

for instance

Rhaphiolepis indica

Trema cannabina and vines. [Conclusion] To establish a stable plant community on slope

all community processes as plants'adaption to slope environment

competition of species and succession should be taken into consideration.