Spatial Distribution and Species Association of Dominant Tree Species in Huangguan Plot of Qinling Mountains, China

The spatial distribution pattern and population structure of trees are shaped by multiple processes, such as species characteristics, environmental factors, intraspecific interspecific interactions. Studying the patterns species, associations, their relationships with factors is conducive to uncovering mechanisms biodiversity maintenance exploring underlying ecological processes community stability succession. This study was conducted in a 25-ha Qinling Huangguan forest (warm-temperate, deciduous, broad-leaved) dynamic monitoring plot. We used univariate bivariate g(r) functions point analysis method evaluate dominant tree within community, intra- associations among different life-history stages. Complete randomness heterogeneous Poisson were reveal potential process construction. also Berman’s test determine effect three topographic variables on species. results indicated that all this showed small-scale aggregation distribution. When we excluded influence heterogeneity, degree each tended decrease, mainly random or uniform heterogeneity significantly affects Dominant positive one another stages, while negative prevailed Furthermore, found between characterized competition. under assumption complete affected slope convexity.