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Li Y, Wei L. Species and structural diversity of trees at the structural type level. BMC Ecol Evol 2024; 24:40. [PMID: 38549102 PMCID: PMC10976781 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-024-02229-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Species and structural diversity are important for understanding the formation of forest communities, key ecological processes, and improving forest ecological functions and services, but their spatial characteristics have received little attention. Based on the spatial relationships among neighbouring trees, we proposed to divide trees within a structural unit into 15 structural types, and used the univariate distributions of the uniform angle index (W), mingling (M), and dominance (U), along with four common species diversity indices, to analyse the diversity of structural types in natural forests near the Tropic of Cancer. RESULTS Only a portion of clumped class maintained aggregation, most exhibited a random pattern. Species mixture increased exponentially across distribution classes, and abundance and richness exhibited an initial increase followed by a slight decrease. The distribution patterns of mixture classes varied from highly clustered to random, and M distributions gradually shifted from an inverted J-shaped curve to a J-shaped curve. Abundance and richness exhibited an exponential distribution, whereas the Shannon-Wiener index increased linearly. The W distribution of differentiation classes approximated a normal distribution, whereas M distributions exhibited a J shape. The U distribution of each structure type was approximately 0.2. CONCLUSIONS These results reveal the species and structural diversity characteristics of trees at the structural type level and expand our knowledge of forest biodiversity. The new method proposed here should significantly contribute to biodiversity monitoring efforts in terrestrial ecosystems, and suggests that higher standards for the simulation and reconstruction of stand structure, as well as thinning in near-natural forests, is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanfa Li
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China.
- Laibin Jinxiu Dayaoshan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Guangxi. No, Jinxiu County, 95 Gongde Road, Laibin, 545700, Guangxi, China.
- College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Daxue East Road 100, Xixiangtang DistrictGuangxi Province, Nanning, 530004, China.
| | - Liting Wei
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
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Ramage BS, Johnson DJ, Chan DM. Effects of drought, disturbance, and biotic neighborhood on experimental tree seedling performance. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10413. [PMID: 37593754 PMCID: PMC10427772 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Forest biodiversity is likely maintained by a complex suite of interacting drivers that vary in importance across both space and time. Contributing factors include disturbance, interannual variation in abiotic variables, and biotic neighborhood effects. To probe ongoing uncertainties and potential interactions, we investigated tree seedling performance in a temperate mid-Atlantic forest ecosystem. We planted seedlings of five native tree species in mapped study plots, half of which were subjected to disturbance, and then monitored seedling survival, height growth, and foliar condition. The final year of data collection encompassed a drought, enabling comparison between intervals varying in water availability. Seedling performance was analyzed as a function of canopy cover and biotic neighborhood (conspecific and heterospecific abundance), including interactions, with separate generalized linear mixed models fit for each interval. All species exhibited: (a) pronounced declines in height growth during the drought year, (b) detrimental effects of adult conspecifics, and (c) beneficial effects of canopy openness. However, despite these consistencies, there was considerable variation across species in terms of the relevant predictors for each response variable in each interval. Our results suggest that drought may strengthen or reveal conspecific inhibition in some instances while weakening it or obscuring it in others, and that some forms of conspecific inhibition may manifest only under particular canopy conditions (although given the inconsistency of our findings, we are not convinced that conspecific inhibition is critical for diversity maintenance in our study system). Overall, our work reveals a complex forest ecosystem that appears simultaneously and interactively governed by biotic neighborhood structure (e.g., conspecific and/or heterospecific abundance), local habitat conditions (e.g., canopy cover), and interannual variability (e.g., drought).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel J. Johnson
- School of Forest, Fisheries, & Geomatics sciencesUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - David M. Chan
- Department of Mathematics and Applied MathematicsVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
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Lee LSH, Zhang H, Ng KTK, Lo SC, Yu ASL. Streamlining urban forest monitoring based on a large-scale tree survey: a case study of highway vegetation in Hong Kong. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 195:198. [PMID: 36513803 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10803-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Through the analysis of an urban tree inventory with the aid of machine learning, this study brought together different aspects of urban forestry. Urban tree monitoring is essential to successful urban forestry. Transport land use accommodates huge tree stock which requires substantial monitoring efforts. In Hong Kong, more research is needed to take into consideration how monitoring works can be improved in response to variations in tree stand characteristics. This case study aimed to illustrate the usefulness of a large-scale tree survey in mainstreaming future tree monitoring and management in transport land use. A total of 7209 trees were found in a large-scale tree survey conducted in 53 slopes and 52 verges along San Tin Highway in Hong Kong. Dominance by Corymbia citriodora (72%) was observed, especially for the highway verges. Using chi-square tests, significant associations were found between monospecific stands, habitat type, and tree risk rating. A logistic regression model was constructed to predict the occurrence of monoculture. Every metre increase in maximum tree height, the odds of a stand being monospecific would be 1.22 times greater. Stands on verges had 5.26 times greater odds of being monospecific against the slope. The associations and relationships were attributed to the dominance of C. citriodora. By boosting the logistic model, model reliability increased as kappa rose from 0.51 to 0.63, while balanced accuracy improved from 0.72 to 0.85. The occurrence of monospecific stands could be reliably predicted using maximum tree height and habitat type of tree stands. These quantitative findings monitoring can guide urban forest monitoring. Through a better understanding of urban forest structure and composition, future monitoring can aid the mainstreaming of urban forestry in transport planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Shing Him Lee
- Faculty of Design and Environment, Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong, Shing Tai Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Faculty of Design and Environment, Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong, Shing Tai Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Kathy Tze Kwun Ng
- Landscape Division, Highways Department, Spectrum Tower, 53 Hung To Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
- Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section, Development Bureau, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shun Cheong Lo
- Landscape Division, Highways Department, Spectrum Tower, 53 Hung To Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Alan Siu Lun Yu
- Landscape Division, Highways Department, Spectrum Tower, 53 Hung To Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
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Yoo S, Cho Y, Park KH, Lim YW. Exploring fine-scale assembly of ectomycorrhizal fungal communities through phylogenetic and spatial distribution analyses. MYCORRHIZA 2022; 32:439-449. [PMID: 35861929 DOI: 10.1007/s00572-022-01088-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) form symbiotic relationship with the roots of host plants. EMF communities are composed of highly diverse species; however, how they are assembled has been a long-standing question. In this study, we investigated from a phylogenetic perspective how EMF communities assemble on Pinus densiflora seedlings at different spatial scales (i.e., seedling scale and root tip scale). P. densiflora seedlings were collected from different habitats (i.e., disturbed areas and mature forests), and their EMF communities were investigated by morphotype sequencing and next-generation sequencing (NGS). To infer assembly mechanisms, phylogenetic relatedness within the community (i.e., phylogenetic structure) was estimated and spatial distribution of EMF root tips was analyzed. The EMF communities on pine seedlings were largely different between the two habitats. Phylogenetically restricted lineages (Amphinema, /suillus-rhizopogon) were abundant in the disturbed areas, whereas species from diverse lineages were abundant in the mature forests (Russula, Sebacina, /tomentella-thelephora, etc.). In the disturbed areas, phylogenetically similar EMF species were aggregated at the seedling scale, suggesting that disturbance acts as a powerful abiotic filter. However, phylogenetically similar species were spatially segregated from each other at the root tip scale, indicating limiting similarity. In the mature forest seedlings, no distinct phylogenetic signals were detected at both seedling and root tip scale. Collectively, our results suggest that limiting similarity may be an important assembly mechanism at the root tip scale and that assembly mechanisms can vary across habitats and spatial scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinnam Yoo
- School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Microbiology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea
| | - Yoonhee Cho
- School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Microbiology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea
| | - Ki Hyeong Park
- School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Microbiology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea
| | - Young Woon Lim
- School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Microbiology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea.
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Dynamic Effects of Structure-Based Forest Management on Stand Spatial Structure in a Platycladus orientalis Plantation. FORESTS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/f13060852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Structure-based forest management (SBFM) is a method for improving forest structure and quality based on nearest-neighbor analysis. Stand spatial structure directly affects the health and stability of forest ecosystems. Research on the effects of SBFM on the distribution of spatial structure parameters is needed to provide a scientific basis for further development and implementation of SBFM technology in forestry. The present study was conducted on six permanent plots (20 m × 20 m) established within a Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco plantation in Beijing, China. Changes in stand spatial structure parameters (SSSPs) were evaluated in managed and control plots at three time points: before SBFM and after 2 and 7 years of SBFM. The results showed that SBFM gradually accelerated the development of the P. orientalis plantation toward a random distribution pattern, reaching a significant difference within 2 years. SBFM promoted the growth of medium and dominant trees, with a significant difference between SBFM and control stands after 7 years. It led to a slight increase in mingling compared to the control, although no significant differences were observed between treatments. SBFM generally decreased the proportions of disadvantageous microstructures (disadvantaged trees with non-randomly distributed, disadvantaged trees with a low degree of mingling, and non-randomly distributed trees with a low degree of mingling). It also improved the ratio of torch (R2) units to dumbbell (R1) units, gradually improving the stability of the plantation forest. The results of this study suggest that SBFM optimized the spatial structure of a P. orientalis plantation in Beijing, China, and was conducive to tree growth and forest stand productivity.
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Wang H, Zhang X, Hu Y, Pommerening A. Spatial patterns of correlation between conspecific species and size diversity in forest ecosystems. Ecol Modell 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2021.109678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Species Identity of Large Trees Affects the Composition and the Spatial Structure of Adjacent Trees. FORESTS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/f12091162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Large trees are keystone structures for the functioning and maintenance of the biological diversity of wooded landscapes. Thus, we need a better understanding of large-tree–other-tree interactions and their effects on the diversity and spatial structure of the surrounding trees. We studied these interactions in the core of the Białowieża Primeval Forest—Europe’s best-preserved temperate forest ecosystem, characterized by high abundance of ancient trees. We measured diameter and bark thickness of the monumental trees of Acer platanoides L., Carpinus betulus L., Picea abies L. H. Karst, Quercus robur L., and Tilia cordata Mill., as well as the diameter and distance to the monumental tree of five nearest neighbor trees. The effects of the monumental tree on arrangements of the surrounding trees were studied with the help of linear models. We revealed that the species identity of a large tree had, in the case of C. betulus and T. cordata, a significant impact on the diversity of adjacent tree groupings, their distance to the central tree, and frequency of the neighboring trees. The distance between the neighbor and the large trees increased with the increasing diameter of the central tree. Our findings reinforce the call for the protection of large old trees, regardless of their species and where they grow from the geographical or ecosystem point of view.
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Abstract
Natural forests serve as the main component of the forest ecosystem. An in-depth interpretation of tree composition and structure of forest community is of great significance for natural forest conservation, monitoring, management, and near-natural silviculture of plantation forest. In this study, we explored the importance of key tree groups—random trees—in natural communities, compared the similarity between the random trees and the communities. This research studies six stem-mapped permanent plots (100 × 100 m2) of the typical natural forests in three different geographic regions of China. Several variables and their distributions were applied to study community characteristics comprehensively, including species abundance, diameter distribution, spatial pattern, mingling, crowding, and competition. The genetic absolute distance method is used to analyze the similarity between the random trees and the communities. Our results show that the features of random trees are highly consistent with the communities. The study proposes that random trees are the cornerstones of natural forests. Its quantitative advantage explains the key role that random trees play in natural forests. The study could provide a scientific insight into the protection, monitoring, and management of forests.
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Zhang G, Hui G, Yang A, Zhao Z. A simple and effective approach to quantitatively characterize structural complexity. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1326. [PMID: 33446718 PMCID: PMC7809123 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79334-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
This study brings insight into interpreting forest structural diversity and explore the classification of individuals according to the distribution of the neighbours in natural forests. Natural forest communities with different latitudes and distribution patterns in China were used. Each tree and its nearest neighbours form a structural unit. Random structural units (or random trees) in natural forests were divided into different sub-types based on the uniform angle index (W). The proportions of different random structural units were analysed. (1) There are only two types of random structural units: type R1 looks similar to a dumbbell, and type R2 looks similar to a torch. These two random structural units coexist in natural forests simultaneously. (2) The proportion of type R1 is far less than that of R2, is only approximately 1/3 of all random structural units or random trees; R2 accounts for approximately 2/3. Furthermore, the proportion of basal area presents the same trend for both random structural units and random trees. R2 has approximately twice the basal area of R1. Random trees (structural units) occupy the largest part of natural forest communities in terms of quantity and basal area. Meanwhile, type R2 is the largest part of random trees (structural units). This study finds that the spatial formation mechanism of natural forest communities which is of great significance to the cultivation of planted forests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gongqiao Zhang
- Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Gangying Hui
- Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing, 100091, China.
| | - Aiming Yang
- Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Zhonghua Zhao
- Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing, 100091, China
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Pommerening A, Szmyt J, Zhang G. A new nearest-neighbour index for monitoring spatial size diversity: The hyperbolic tangent index. Ecol Modell 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2020.109232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Spatial size diversity in natural and planted forest ecosystems: Revisiting and extending the concept of spatial size inequality. ECOL INFORM 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2020.101054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Relationships between Structural Indices and Conventional Stand Attributes in an Old-Growth Forest in Southeast Europe. FORESTS 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/f11010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Structural indices are often proposed as guiding measures for increasing structural heterogeneity. However, few studies have examined the association between such indices and conventional stand attributes. The primary objectives of this study were to evaluate changes in structural heterogeneity and tree species diversity at different plot sizes and to quantify the relationships between conventional stand attributes (mean tree diameter, absolute tree density, basal area, species proportion) and structural indices in a mixed old-growth forest in Southeast Europe. Paired tests were used to identify significant changes in structural heterogeneity with increased plot area, while the relationships between stand attributes and analyzed indices (Gini, diameter differentiation, species mingling, and Shannon’s index) were evaluated with Pearson’s correlations. The index values of Gini, diameter differentiation, and tree species mingling were rather stable with the increase of plot size, whereas tree species diversity increased significantly with the increase of plot area from 200 m2 to 1500 m2. The measures of tree species mingling and tree species diversity were strongly associated with each other, while their association with diameter variability was weak to moderately strong. Tree species mingling index was strongly associated with the changes in tree species proportions. However, conventional stand attributes were generally not strongly correlated with the examined indices. For restoring and maintaining old-growth characteristics, forest managers may use structural indices to increase small-scale structural heterogeneity, tree species mingling, and diversity, but only as an additional set of measures, not as surrogates for conventional stand attributes.
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Wan P, Zhang G, Wang H, Zhao Z, Hu Y, Zhang G, Hui G, Liu W. Impacts of different forest management methods on the stand spatial structure of a natural Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata forest in Xiaolongshan, China. ECOL INFORM 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2019.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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