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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2018, Vol. 54 ›› Issue (12): 1-11.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.20181201

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Spatial Patterns of Dominant Species Carpinus fargesiana and Cyclobalanopsis multinervis in a Subtropical Evergreen and Deciduous Broad-Leaved Mixed Forest

Yao Liangjin1, Yao Lan2, Yi Yongmei2, Ai Xunru2, Feng Guang3, Liu Juncheng4, Chen Si2, Huang Wei2, Ding Yi1,5, Zang Runguo1,5   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment of National Forestry and Grassland Administration Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, CAF Beijing 100091;
    2. School of Forestry and Horticulture, Hubei University for Nationalities Enshi 445000;
    3. College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University Beijing 100083;
    4. Hubei Qizimeishan National Nature Reserve Administration Enshi 445000;
    5. Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Sounthern China, Nanjing Forestry University Nanjing 210037
  • Received:2017-01-13 Revised:2018-07-30 Online:2018-12-25 Published:2018-12-11

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Abstract: [Objective] To explore coexistence mechanism of species during community restoration process, we analyzed the spatial distribution pattern and inter- and intra-specific correlations of two dominant species in a 6 hm2 forest dynamic plot (FDP) of subtropical evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest in Qizimei Mountain, Hubei Province. This paper aims to provide a theoretical basis for forest ecosystem restoration and diversity conservation in this forest area. [Method]Two most dominant canopy tree species, deciduous tree Carpinus fargesiana and evergreen tree Cyclobalanopsis multinervis were selected based on abundance rank in the FDP. All individuals of two species were categorized into four DBH (diameter at breast height) classes: saplings (1 cm ≤ DBH < 2.5 cm), small trees (2.5 cm ≤DBH < 5 cm), medium trees (5cm ≤DBH <10 cm), and adult trees (DBH≥ 10cm). The population structure, spatial distribution, inter- and intra-specific correlations of four different DBH classes of the two dominant species were analyzed by using spatial point pattern analysis method. [Result] The stem abundance of C. fargesiana within four DBH classes were similar, but C. multinervis showed an inverted "J" shape. The individuals of different DBH classes of both species shared similar habitat preference. Most individuals of various DBH classes of C. fargesiana and C. multinervis showed aggregated distribution and extent of aggregation reduced gradually with the increase of DBH classes. In four different DBH classes of C. fargesiana, medium trees showed a trend from significantly positive to non-obvious associations with saplings. On the contrary, adult trees showed a trend from non-significant to negative associations with saplings. Positive spatial associations still dominated among different DBH classes (small trees to saplings, medium trees to small trees, adult trees to medium trees, adult trees to small trees). The C. multinervis showed positive associations among all four different DBH classes and along all spatial scales, but the positive associations were relatively weak. Different DBH classes of C. fargesiana showed positive associations to each DBH class of C. multinervis with the spatial scale. The medium and adult trees of C. multinervis showed a trend from non-significant to negative associations with saplings and small trees of C. fargesiana. Moreover, the extents of negative associations increased with the difference of DBH classes. [Conclusion] Although two dominant species (C. fargesiana and C. multinervis) had similar habitat preferences, but there was obvious suppression effect of C. multinervis (late successional species) on C. fargesiana (pioneer species). With the community restoration process, the secondary forest plot will gradually become dominant by C. multinervis. This study confirmed hypotheses that variation in the inter- and intra-species associations ultimately drives the community assemblages process.

Key words: point pattern analysis, spatial association, cluster distribution, competition, disturbance, ecological strategy

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