Spatial distribution patterns of Symplocos congeners in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaf forest of southern China  

作　　者：Xiuqing Yang Haibing Yan Buhang Li Youzhi Han Bo Song 

机构地区：[1]College of Forestry, Shanxi Agricultural University [2]SYSU-Alberta Joint Lab for Biodiversity Conservation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University [3]Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science, Clemson University

出　　处：《Journal of Forestry Research》2018年第3期765-776,共12页林业研究（英文版）

基　　金：supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(31470631 and 31670630);China Postdoctoral Science Foundation Grant(2013M530892);Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province,China(2013011030-3)

摘　　要：Studies on spatial distribution of congeneric species can supplement our understanding of species ecological processes. We analyzed population structure, spatial distribution, intra-and interspecific associations among six Symplocos tree species on a large(50 ha) plot in a subtropical, evergreen broad-leaf forest in southern China using spatial point pattern analysis methods. Our results suggested that the six Symplocos tree species were all clustered at small scales. The aggregation intensity of S. wikstroemiifolia with low abundance but relatively numerous large-diameter trees was much higher than that of the other five Symplocos species that occurred at high abundance but included few large-diameter trees. Spatial associations among the six congeners showed that 12 of 30 pairs were associated positively at small scales, and 13 of 30 pairs were unrelated. For species among different size classes, 79 of 120 pairs were not correlated, and 17 of 120 pairs were associated positively. These results showed insufficient evidence for interspecific competition and congeneric Symplocos species commonly coexist within subtropical plant communities. The spatial patterns of Symplocos species and their correlations changed with size(DBH) class and were simultaneously affected by spatial scales; the intensity of their aggregation and association decreased with increasing area of the sample plot.Studies on spatial distribution of congeneric species can supplement our understanding of species ecological processes. We analyzed population structure, spatial distribution, intra-and interspecific associations among six Symplocos tree species on a large(50 ha) plot in a subtropical, evergreen broad-leaf forest in southern China using spatial point pattern analysis methods. Our results suggested that the six Symplocos tree species were all clustered at small scales. The aggregation intensity of S. wikstroemiifolia with low abundance but relatively numerous large-diameter trees was much higher than that of the other five Symplocos species that occurred at high abundance but included few large-diameter trees. Spatial associations among the six congeners showed that 12 of 30 pairs were associated positively at small scales, and 13 of 30 pairs were unrelated. For species among different size classes, 79 of 120 pairs were not correlated, and 17 of 120 pairs were associated positively. These results showed insufficient evidence for interspecific competition and congeneric Symplocos species commonly coexist within subtropical plant communities. The spatial patterns of Symplocos species and their correlations changed with size(DBH) class and were simultaneously affected by spatial scales; the intensity of their aggregation and association decreased with increasing area of the sample plot.

关 键 词：Population structure Spatial patterns Spatial associations SYMPLOCOS 

分 类 号：S7[农业科学—林学]