Effects of plant interactions on the populations of the endangered Fagus pashanica

ABSTRACT

Background

Examining the spatial patterns of species distributions and their underlying processes is important for characterising population dynamics and can provide novel insights for conservation management. However, little attention has been paid to spatial distribution patterns of endangered species.

Aims

We quantified the effects of plant interactions and environmental heterogeneity on the spatial distribution of endangered Fagus pashanica in communities, to reveal the processes which may account for its population dynamics.

Methods

We collected spatial coordinates of each tree in communities at three elevations and evaluated the effects of plant interactions and environmental heterogeneity using point pattern analysis.

Results

Dispersal limitation rather than habitat filtering shaped the spatial patterns of F. pashanica at all three elevations. Intraspecific competition in F. pashanica was found to be significant at middle- and high elevations; interspecific interactions were not significant at any of the three elevations.

Conclusions

Intraspecific competition significantly affected the spatial patterns of F. pashanica. Dispersal limitation appear to lead to aggregation, while at small spatial scales intraspecific interactions are likely to decrease aggregation due to potential density-dependent thinning effects.

KEYWORDS:

• Conservation
• endangered species
• habitat filtering
• plant-to-plant interactions
• point pattern analysis
• scale effect

Acknowledgements

We thank Ding-Ji Zhang, Xin-Rui Nan, Ze-Yu Mo, and Li Zhou for their assistance with data collection and the staff of Mount Micang National Nature Reserve for their assistance in the field. We also thank Dr. Laszlo Nagy and anonymous reviewers for their valuable suggestions and guidance for improving the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (2017YFA0605100), the State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology (2017-FX-05), the 111 project (B13008), and Beijing Advanced Innovation Program for Land Surface Science.

Notes on contributors

Yu Liang

Yu Liang is a Ph.D. student, with an interest in evolutionary ecology and community ecology.

Xiao-Xi Yang

Xiao-Xi Yang and Xiao-Ya Zhang are postgraduate students, with an interest in evolutionary ecology and population ecology.

Xiao-Ya Zhang

Jin-Tun Zhang is a professor. He is interested in vegetation ecology and quantitative ecology.

Da-Yong Zhang is a professor. He is interested in theoretical ecology and evolutionary ecology.

Jin-Tun Zhang

Jin-Tun Zhang is a professor. He is interested in vegetation ecology and quantitative ecology.

Da-Yong Zhang is a professor. He is interested in theoretical ecology and evolutionary ecology.

Da-Yong Zhang

Jin-Tun Zhang is a professor. He is interested in vegetation ecology and quantitative ecology.

Da-Yong Zhang is a professor. He is interested in theoretical ecology and evolutionary ecology.

Wan-Jin Liao

Wan-Jin Liao is a professor. He is interested in evolutionary ecology and reproductive ecology.