Competition in Abies kawakamii forests at subtropical high mountain in Taiwan

PLoS One. 2021 Jul 22;16(7):e0254791. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254791. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

The spatial patterns of plant species reflect the competitive pressures on individuals. To generate Competition indices (CI), we measured the diameter at breast height (DBH), crown volumes (CV) and the distances between trees. In this study, Abies kawakamii were divided based on the dominant component of the understory (moss or bamboo) to (1) investigate the relationship between the CI and stand structural attributes (SSAs); (2) compare the inter- and intraspecies; CIs as well as living and dead individual CIs; and (3) examine the relationship between the DBH and CI. The current findings indicate that the understory composition affected the CI and SSAs. The interspecies CI was larger than the intraspecies CI when bamboo-dominated the understory. In contrast, the intraspecies CI was larger than the interspecies CI when the understory was dominated by moss. The CI of dead individuals was higher than that of live individuals due to the biological characteristics and regeneration needs of Abies. Additionally, sensitivity to the environment and available resources may exert more pressure on young individuals than mature individuals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abies / growth & development*
  • Conservation of Natural Resources*
  • Forests*
  • Taiwan

Grants and funding

This research funding was supported by Shei-Pa National Park in Taiwan. The funders had no role in study design and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.