Biodiv Sci ›› 2015, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (3): 321-331.  DOI: 10.17520/biods.2014145

• Original Papers: Plant Diversity • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Community characteristics and spatial distribution of dominant tree species in a secondary forest of Daqing Mountains, southwestern Guangxi, China

You Nong1,2,*, Lu Zheng1,2, Hongyan Jia1,2, Lihua Lu1,2, Dewei Huang1,2, Bohua Huang1,2, Liqun Lei1,2   

  1. 1 Experimental Center of Tropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Pingxiang, Guangxi 532600
    2 Guangxi Youyiguan Forest Ecosystem National Research Station, Pingxiang, Guangxi 532600
  • Received:2014-07-10 Accepted:2015-01-26 Online:2015-06-08 Published:2015-06-12
  • Contact: Nong You

Abstract:

In order to determine species characteristics and the factors affecting distribution patterns of dominant tree species of secondary forests in Daqing Mountains, we analyzed community composition, DBH size structure, species distribution and spatial correlations using a point pattern analysis of O-ring statistical method. There were a total of 109 species including 58 tree species, 29 shrub species and 22 herb species in a 1 ha plot. The floristic composition was pan-tropical with Quercus griffithii and Eberhardtia aurata as the co-dominant species. These two species accounted for 30.8% of the total number of individuals. Neolitsea chuii, Beilschmiedia fordii and Camellia cuspidate were the secondary tree species of the community. The DBH size structure of the populations showed a reverse J-shaped pattern with a greater number of small diameter (1-5 cm) individuals. Species spatial distribution with environmental heterogeneity was aggregated but decreased significantly with increasing spatial scales. Spatial distribution and heterogeneity were independent at most spatial scales among the main species populations.

Key words: spatial distribution, spatial correlation, species composition, secondary forest, lower subtropical area