Investigating the response of subtropical forests to environmental variation through the study of the Abies kawakamii treelines in Taiwan

154 Introduction 155 Materials and methods 157 Study area 157 Transect structure 158 Epiphyte sampling 162 Habitat variables 162 Species identification 162 Statistical analysis 164 Results 166 Species richness patterns 166 Variation in habitat variables with treeline position and form 168 The influence of habitat on species richness patterns 169 Similarity of the lichen community between sampling locations 170 Community composition patterns 171 Indicator species analysis 172 Discussion 172 Acknowledgements 176 Literature cited 176 Appendices 180 Chapter 7: General Discussion and Synthesis 190 Characterising treeline advance 192 Understanding treeline advance 193 Tree growth and climate 194 Seedling establishment beyond the treeline 195 The consequences of treeline advance for the wider community 196 Conclusion 198 Literature cited 200