Distinct Community Assembly Mechanisms of Different Growth Stages in a Warm Temperate Forest

Community phylogenetic structure and diversity analysis are useful complements to species-centric approaches in biodiversity studies by providing new insights into the processes that drive community assembly. In this study, we aimed understand differences relative importance of abiotic filtering, biotic interactions, dispersal limitation on assembly trees at different vegetation growth stages. We also examined influence geographical distance, elevation, terrain, soil. Thus, structures β-diversities saplings adults along gradients. The results net relatedness index (NRI) showed that, instead being random, tended be convergent, whereas divergent. This result implies forces filtering interactions change throughout growth. generalized dissimilarity modelling (GDM) (geographical distance) influenced both saplings. confirmed our hypothesis deterministic stochastic were prevalent. explanatory rates geographic distance environmental factor β-diversity quite between saplings, which meant force had changed.