Spatial pattern of dominant species with different seed dispersal modes in a monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest in Pu’er, Yunnan Province

doi:10.17520/biods.2023147

Abstract

Abstract:

Aim: Multiple processes such as habitat filtering, dispersal restriction, and intra-/interspecific interactions within and between species could affect the spatial distribution patterns and population structure of species. Studying how species are distributed in space, as well as their connections with environmental factors, is valuable for revealing the maintenance mechanism that uphold biodiversity and to exploring the ecological process of community succession.

Method: The monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest, representative of a zonal vegetation type, serves as an important subject for studying the species patterns within the interlacing area between tropical and subtropical zones. Using point pattern analysis on survey data from a 30-ha dynamics plot in the monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest in Pu’er, we examined the scale-changing spatial distribution patterns of three dominant species (Castanopsis echidnocarpa, Anneslea fragransand Betula alnoides), each with distinct seed dispersal modes. Concurrently, we scrutinized the effects of habitat heterogeneity and dispersal restriction on the spatial distribution patterns of species, as well as the intra-/interspecific associations between different life stages.

Results: The results showed that C. echidnocarpa and A. fragrans were commonly distributed on the ridges and hillsides, with less frequent occurrence in the valleys, whereas B. alnoides predominantly thrived on hillsides. Under the complete randomness model, all three species displayed aggregated distribution patterns across all scales. With the degree of aggregation decreasing as the spatial scale increased. Upon accounting for habitat heterogeneity, all the three species showed aggregated distribution only on small scale, transitioning to random or regular distribution on a large scale. Dispersal restrictions minimally effect the distribution pattern of C. echidnocarpa and A. fragrans, but significantly effect on the distribution pattern of B. alnoides. Regarding the spatial association among different age classes within species, significant correlations were observed for all growth stages of C. echidnocarpa and A. fragrans, whereas such correlations were less pronounced for B. alnoides. In terms of interspecific correlation, C. echidnocarpaplayed a positively correlation with A. fragrans and a negatively correlation with B. alnoides. Meanwhile, A. fragrans showed both positive and negative correlations with B. alnoides.

Conclusion: Our study underscores that species spatial distribution patterns arise from a complex interplay between species attributes and environmental conditions. The combined influence of habitat heterogeneity and dispersal restriction emerges as the primary determinant shaping species spatial distribution.

Key words: monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest, point pattern analysis, habitat heterogeneity, seed dispersal restrictions, intra-/interspecific associations

Minghui Wang, Zhaoquan Chen, Shuaifeng Li, Xiaobo Huang, Xuedong Lang, Zihan Hu, Ruiguang Shang, Wande Liu. Spatial pattern of dominant species with different seed dispersal modes in a monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest in Pu’er, Yunnan Province[J]. Biodiv Sci, 2023, 31(9): 23147.

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URL: https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/10.17520/biods.2023147

https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/Y2023/V31/I9/23147

Figures/Tables 9

Fig. 1 Topographic map of 30-ha dynamics plot in the monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest in Pu’er, Yunnan

Table 1 Dominant species with three different seed dispersal modes in a monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest in Pu’er, Yunnan

扩散方式 Dispersal modes	优势树种 Dominant species	多度 Abundance				重要值 Importance value
扩散方式 Dispersal modes	优势树种 Dominant species	小树 Sapling	中树 Medium tree	大树 Mature tree	合计 Total	重要值 Importance value
重力扩散 Gravity dispersal	短刺锥 Castanopsis echidnocarpa	26,972	3,521	2,815	33,038	21.58
风力扩散 Wind dispersal	西南桦 Betula alnoides	61	145	542	748	3.18
动物扩散 Animal dispersal	茶梨 Anneslea fragrans	4,645	887	331	5,843	3.53

Fig. 2 Size-class of diameter at breast height distributions of dominant species with three different seed dispersal modes in a monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest in Pu’er, Yunnan

Fig. 3 2D point map of spatial distribution of dominant species with three different seed dispersal modes in a monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest in Pu’er, Yunnan

Fig. 4 Spatial distribution pattern of dominant species under complete randomness model. Solid line represents the observed value, dashed line represents the theoretical value, and the gray area is the confidence interval.

Fig. 5 Spatial distribution pattern of dominant species under heterogeneity Poisson model. Solid line represents the observed value, dashed line represents the theoretical value, and the gray area is the confidence interval.

Fig. 6 Spatial distribution pattern of dominant species under homogeneous Thomas model. Solid line represents the observed value, dashed line represents the theoretical value, and the gray area is the confidence interval.

Fig. 7 Intra-specific spatial association among different diameter classes of three dominant species. Solid line represents the observed value, dashed line represents the theoretical value, and the gray area is the confidence interval. S, Sapling; M, Medium tree; L, Mature tree.

Fig. 8 Inter-specific spatial association among dominant species. Solid line represents the observed value, dashed line represents the theoretical value, and the gray area is the confidence interval.

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