Why Is the Diversity of Tree Species in China’s Lowland Rainforests Higher than in Its Montane Rainforests?
Despite extensive research on tree species diversity in tropical rainforests, the differences in diversity between lowland and montane rainforests, as well as the underlying mechanisms, remain unclear. This study utilizes tree inventory data from two dynamic monitoring sample plots, each with an are...
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| author | Tong Pang Langxing Yuan Yaqing Wei Xin Wang Ning Zhang Kepeng Ji Yuwu Li Guoyu Lan |
| author_facet | Tong Pang Langxing Yuan Yaqing Wei Xin Wang Ning Zhang Kepeng Ji Yuwu Li Guoyu Lan |
| author_sort | Tong Pang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Despite extensive research on tree species diversity in tropical rainforests, the differences in diversity between lowland and montane rainforests, as well as the underlying mechanisms, remain unclear. This study utilizes tree inventory data from two dynamic monitoring sample plots, each with an area of 1 hm<sup>2</sup>, established in the lowland rainforest and montane rainforest regions of Diaoluo Mountain, Hainan Island. We analyzed the composition, diversity, spatial distribution patterns, and interspecific relationships within the tree communities. In total, 154 tree species with DBH > 3 cm were recorded in lowland rainforests, and 119 were recorded in montane rainforests, with lowland rainforests harboring 51 rare species compared to 40 rare species in montane rainforests. The distribution pattern of small trees (with DBH ≤ 7.5 cm) exhibited clustering at a small scale but random distribution at a larger scale. This phenomenon was more prevalent in tropical lowland rainforests, indicating that the negative density dependence effect is more pronounced in lowland rainforests compared to montane rainforests. Moreover, a higher proportion of negative associations and lower niche overlaps were observed in the lowland rainforest compared to the montane rainforest, suggesting that niche differentiation among tree species is more pronounced in the lowland rainforest. In conclusion, the more intense negative density dependence effect and niche differentiation are the primary factors contributing to the higher tree species diversity observed in lowland rainforests. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8fdae195728e4e2fb73d281f36ecd125 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-8fdae195728e4e2fb73d281f36ecd1252025-08-20T03:11:22ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-02-0114450510.3390/plants14040505Why Is the Diversity of Tree Species in China’s Lowland Rainforests Higher than in Its Montane Rainforests?Tong Pang0Langxing Yuan1Yaqing Wei2Xin Wang3Ning Zhang4Kepeng Ji5Yuwu Li6Guoyu Lan7Rubber Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571101, ChinaTropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571101, ChinaRubber Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571101, ChinaRubber Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571101, ChinaRubber Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571101, ChinaRubber Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571101, ChinaCollege of Landscape Architecture and Forestry, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, ChinaRubber Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571101, ChinaDespite extensive research on tree species diversity in tropical rainforests, the differences in diversity between lowland and montane rainforests, as well as the underlying mechanisms, remain unclear. This study utilizes tree inventory data from two dynamic monitoring sample plots, each with an area of 1 hm<sup>2</sup>, established in the lowland rainforest and montane rainforest regions of Diaoluo Mountain, Hainan Island. We analyzed the composition, diversity, spatial distribution patterns, and interspecific relationships within the tree communities. In total, 154 tree species with DBH > 3 cm were recorded in lowland rainforests, and 119 were recorded in montane rainforests, with lowland rainforests harboring 51 rare species compared to 40 rare species in montane rainforests. The distribution pattern of small trees (with DBH ≤ 7.5 cm) exhibited clustering at a small scale but random distribution at a larger scale. This phenomenon was more prevalent in tropical lowland rainforests, indicating that the negative density dependence effect is more pronounced in lowland rainforests compared to montane rainforests. Moreover, a higher proportion of negative associations and lower niche overlaps were observed in the lowland rainforest compared to the montane rainforest, suggesting that niche differentiation among tree species is more pronounced in the lowland rainforest. In conclusion, the more intense negative density dependence effect and niche differentiation are the primary factors contributing to the higher tree species diversity observed in lowland rainforests.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/4/505Hainan Islandlowland rainforestmontane rainforesttree species diversityniche overlapdistribution pattern |
| spellingShingle | Tong Pang Langxing Yuan Yaqing Wei Xin Wang Ning Zhang Kepeng Ji Yuwu Li Guoyu Lan Why Is the Diversity of Tree Species in China’s Lowland Rainforests Higher than in Its Montane Rainforests? Plants Hainan Island lowland rainforest montane rainforest tree species diversity niche overlap distribution pattern |
| title | Why Is the Diversity of Tree Species in China’s Lowland Rainforests Higher than in Its Montane Rainforests? |
| title_full | Why Is the Diversity of Tree Species in China’s Lowland Rainforests Higher than in Its Montane Rainforests? |
| title_fullStr | Why Is the Diversity of Tree Species in China’s Lowland Rainforests Higher than in Its Montane Rainforests? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Why Is the Diversity of Tree Species in China’s Lowland Rainforests Higher than in Its Montane Rainforests? |
| title_short | Why Is the Diversity of Tree Species in China’s Lowland Rainforests Higher than in Its Montane Rainforests? |
| title_sort | why is the diversity of tree species in china s lowland rainforests higher than in its montane rainforests |
| topic | Hainan Island lowland rainforest montane rainforest tree species diversity niche overlap distribution pattern |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/4/505 |
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