The Driving Factors of Subtropical Mature Forest Productivity: Stand Structure Matters

Forest productivity (increment of above-ground biomass) is determined by biodiversity but also stand structure attributes. However, the relative strengths these drivers in determining remain controversial subtropical forests. In this study, we analyzed a tree growth data from 500 plots with 20 ha mature forest eastern China. We used spatial simultaneous autoregressive error models to examine effects diversity variables (species richness, evenness, and composition), structural attributes (stand density, size range diversity), environmental factors (topography soil), initial biomass (AGB) on productivity. applied equation quantify importance diversity, structure, factors, AGB Our results showed that together governed Tree (DBH Shannon’s index) had largest positive effect These provide new evidence explanatory have greater contributions for forests, strongly supporting niche complementarity hypothesis. work highlights promoting high productivity, suggests regulating conserving complexity should be among most important goals management.