Neutral and accumulator species in determining the spatial structure of tree species at different spatial scales

Abstract

In 2014, a 40-ha undisturbed plot was established in the Beijing Songshan Nature Reserve. The spatial distribution and spatial associations of five dominant tree species of different height classes were examined using spatial point pattern analysis and the effects of these species on local community diversity assemblages were examined using the ISAR method. The dominant species were characterized by an aggregated distribution at spatial scales of 0–50 m. At smaller spatial scales, trees in larger height classes had significant positive and negative effects on the diversity of the lower height classes. However, at larger spatial scales this effect was diminished. At small scales (0–10 m), accumulator species had positive effects on species diversity, maintained an over-representative proportion of diversity in their proximity, and supported the ecological niche theory. At the larger scale (10–50 m), neutral species were dominant and had positive effects on species diversity, though repeller species, which had negative effects on species diversity, also contributed to diversity. Neutral and accumulator species together determined local species diversity, but the relative importance of the two was closely related to spatial scale. A combination of the ecological niche theory and neutral processes together determines species coexistence and biodiversity of an undisturbed pine forest.

Keywords

The 40-ha natural Chinese pine forest / Spatial scale / ISAR model / Species coexistence / Neutral and accumulator species

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