Gap distribution patterns in the south subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest of Dinghushan

Abstract

Studying the dynamic characteristics, species coexistence and biodiversity conservation mechanisms of subtropical forest ecosystems is important in the study of the quantitative characteristics and spatial gap distribution patterns. Based on census data from the 20 ha dynamics plot of the subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in Dinghushan in 2015, we analyzed the geometric characteristics and spatial distribution pattern of gaps in the plot by combining aerial image processing technology of unmanned aerial vehicles and GIS. Results show that the gap fraction is 13.72%, the gap density is 35.75 no./ha, and the average gap area is 38.37 m 2 . Results also show that: (1) The number of gaps in the area is negatively exponentially distributed with the increase of gap area, that is, the gap is small and the marginal effect is not significant. (2) The aver-age area of forest gaps in over-mature forest stands is larger than that in mature forests, while the mature forest is more likely to have more small gaps and fewer large gaps. (3) In different habitats, the distribution of gaps in each habitat shows the same pattern as that found in the whole plot. However, the difference in the valley is significant when compared with other habitats, and gap area and gap density in the valley are larger than other habitats. The ridge gap is also distinctive, and its gap density is lower than other habitats. (4) Gap area is significantly correlated with topographic factors. It was significantly negatively correlated with altitude and convexity, and had a significantly positive correlation with aspect and gradient. Based on these comparative analyses, a monitoring system of forest canopy changes and patterns can be established using drones, to dynamically monitor forest gaps and the undergrowth community.

How do functional traits influence tree demographic properties in a subtropical monsoon forest?

“…The prospective interpretation for these results is that leaf economic traits and hydraulic conductivity are closely linked to plant carbon gain and allocation (Poorter & Bongers, 2006; Wright et al, 2004). Species with a fast turnover rate strongly compete for light and nutrients (Qi et al, 2021), which improves their probability of colonization, especially in forest gaps (Sui et al, 2017), leading to a high recruitment rate in forest communities. Previous studies mostly focused on the relationships between plant functional traits and plant growth/mortality (Fan et al, 2012; Poorter et al, 2008, 2010; Wright et al, 2010).…”

“…The prospective interpretation for these results is that leaf economic traits and hydraulic conductivity are closely linked to plant carbon gain and allocation (Poorter & Bongers, 2006;Wright et al, 2004). Species with a fast turnover rate strongly compete for light and nutrients (Qi et al, 2021), which improves their probability of colonization, especially in forest gaps (Sui et al, 2017)…”

Climate interacts with the trait structure of tree communities to influence forest productivity

“…Low-LMA pioneer species are prompt to colonize disturbed stands. Because of an increase in resource availability, rapid growth and tree turnover rates are indeed observed in recently disturbed areas (Blundo et al, 2015;Poorter et al, 2009;Sui et al, 2017), where species compete for light and nutrients for increased colonization probability (He et al, 2022;Qi et al, 2021).…”

An old-growth subtropical evergreen broadleaved forest suffered more damage from Typhoon Mangkhut than an adjacent secondary forest

“…For forest structure, the secondary forest was dominated by medium-sized trees, while the old-growth forest was dominated by large trees (Lian et al, 2015). For forest tree species composition, all species were sorted into three groups focusing on shade-tolerance and life history traits that affected susceptibility to windthrow (Putz et al, 1983;Zimmerman et al, 1994;Franklin et al, 2004;Ostertag et al, 2005): the shade-intolerant species, intermediate shade-tolerant species, and shade-tolerant species (Sui, 2017). Both the secondary and oldgrowth forests were strikingly dominated by the intermediate shadetolerant species but followed by shade-tolerant species in the oldgrowth forest, where there were a small proportion of shade-intolerant species, which was inverse to that in the secondary forest (Table 1).…”