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SPATIAL PATTERNING AND COMPETITION IN AN ASPEN‐WHITE PINE SUCCESSIONAL SYSTEM
Author(s) -
Squiers Edwin R.,
Klosterman Jane E.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1981.tb12412.x
Subject(s) - quadrat , competition (biology) , biology , common spatial pattern , botany , spatial ecology , ecology , forestry , geography , shrub
The spatial patterning of and competition between established large‐toothed aspen ( Populus grandidentata ) and invading white pine ( Pinus strobus ) were examined in a 65‐yr‐old forest system at the AuSable Trails Institute of Environmental Studies, Kalkaska County, Michigan. Density, diameter, and distance measures were recorded for tree species on two 40 × 40 m grids containing 64 quadrats each 5 × 5 m. Several indices of dispersion were used to assess pattern and regression analysis of nearest neighbor distance to tree diameter provided an index of competition. The results indicate strong aggregation for both aspen and pine on a large scale, but regularity of pattern for pines in relation to their nearest neighbor. This regularity appears to be due to competition with established aspens and suggests that the spatial patterning of the aspens acts to control the spacing and subsequent development of the invading white pines.