Abstract:

In order to discuss community construction and succession mechanism in Dabie Mountains, three main species of the Rosaceae in the Yaoluoping National Nature Reserve were taken as the object of study by using nearest-neighbor analysis and different zero models. An 11.56 ha forest dynamic plot was established in the Yaoluoping National Nature Reserve according to CTFS technical standards. Sorbus alnifolia, Cerasus serrulata and Photinia chinensis were the three most abundant tree species. The three species were divided into three age groups: small tree, adult tree and old tree according to DBH frequency distributions. Based on nearest neighbor analysis, O-ring functions, Monte Carlo fitting and zero model selection, spatial distribution patterns and interspecific correlations of the three main species were analyzed and compared. This study found three major conclusions: (1) The three species were aggregated across all age stages, although aggregation weakened with increasing age. (2) In the DBH range of 0-50 m, trees of the three species were clustered on small scales (≤ 10 m), while adults and older trees were mostly randomly distributed. Additionally, habitat heterogeneity decreased tree aggregation and tree species aggregate on smaller scales (≤ 4 m). (3) Most of the three species were negatively correlated or not significantly correlated with other age groups. Competitive and density-dependent effects seemed to impact species negatively on a small scale as well (≤ 10 m), though correlation decreased with scale. In conclusion, Rosaceae plants in the deciduous broad-leaved forests of Dabie Mountains are mostly aggregately distributed depending on tree age, though habitat heterogeneity impacts aggregation.

Key words: Yaoluoping National Nature Reserve, broadleaved deciduous forest, Rosaceae, nearest neighbour analysis, O-ring function, spatial distribution pattern