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Conspecific negative density dependence of trees varies with plant functional traits and environmental conditions across scales in a 60‐ha tropical rainforest dynamics plot
Author(s) -
Zang Lipeng,
Xu Han,
Li Yide,
Zang Runguo
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
biotropica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.813
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1744-7429
pISSN - 0006-3606
DOI - 10.1111/btp.12910
Subject(s) - rainforest , abiotic component , tropical rainforest , ecology , biology , abundance (ecology) , relative species abundance , tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests , subtropics
Conspecific negative density dependence (CNDD) is an important mechanism facilitating species coexistence in plant communities. Yet, which factors influence CNDD is still not clear. Here, we examined the factors influencing CNDD in tree species within a 60‐ha tropical rainforest dynamics plot. Point pattern analysis was used to test the existence and strength of CNDD. The relationships between strength of CNDD and plant functional traits, as well as abiotic factors, were assessed by stepwise regression analysis. Results showed that 89% of the examined species exhibited CNDD, and the strength of CNDD decreased with increasing spatial scales and species abundance. The maximum strength of CNDD (d max ) was negatively related to leaf dry matter content and positively related to potential maximum height. Soil water content, available nitrogen, and total potassium were the major abiotic factors determining d max . Our study suggests that CNDD is prevalent in most tree species and that both abiotic (soil) and biotic (species abundance, plant functional traits) factors constrain the strength of CNDD in our tropical montane rainforest. Abstract in Chinese is available with online material.