Competition and Facilitation Co-Regulate Spatial Patterns and Coexistence in a Coniferous and Broad-Leaved Mixed Forest Community in Zhejiang, China

Plant interactions have long been the subject of intense research and debate in ecology. Competition facilitation are known to be basic drivers community structure, species coexistence, forest succession dynamics; however, there remains a lack understanding how spatial patterns affect these mixed coniferous broad-leaved species. In present study, we studied roles competition Zhejiang Province, China. For this, divided plants measured at study site according size diameter breast height (DBH) into three levels saplings as follows: (1 cm ≤ DBH < 5 cm), juveniles (5 15 adults (DBH ≥ cm). We used point pattern method explore raw number, distribution, both intra- inter-specific correlations different levels. The corresponding findings were follows. First, structure similar, showing distinct distribution an inverted “J” shape number individuals with particular declined increased. Second, when all similar range pooled, clustered scales; this situation, (evergreen deciduous) showed clumped small scales, decreased scale Third, small, but significant positive between large-diameter trees small-diameter evergreen levels; increased, correlation diminished. On any scale, individual deciduous ranges did not correlation. Fourth, had strong competitive effect on species, was weak promoting well. summary, tree occupy living spaces, through facilitation, regulate stability communities.