Unraveling the effects of species intra- and interspecific interactions
and environmental factors on the spatial pattern of the tertiary relict
plant Tetracentron sinense Oliver
Abstract
The spatial pattern is critical for understanding the plant population
status. The distribution patterns of endangered plants are more
vulnerable to intraspecific, interspecific, and environmental factors.
Tetracentron sinense Oliver, a tertiary relict plant, the spatial
pattern, and its influencing factors are poorly understood. We sought to
figure out the spatial pattern of T. sinense and the factors responsible
for this pattern. We utilized the point pattern, ordinary kriging, and
canonical correlation analysis to identify distribution patterns,
spatial interactions, and environmental factors. The results revealed
that T. sinense individuals were highly aggregated, at a small scale.
Similarly, there was a positive correlation between young and adult
trees at smaller scales. In addition, the dominant species showed a
positive correlation with T. sinense; the correlation gradually became
non-significant or negative as the scale increased. Furthermore, the
main environmental factors affecting the distribution of T. sinense were
air humidity, altitude, litter depth, and potassium content. These
results highlighted the importance of intra- and interspecific
interaction and environmental factors for the spatial distribution of T.
sinense. Our results provide new insights into endangered species’
spatial patterns and main factors. Moreover, these findings have
relevant implications for conserving and managing endangered trees in a
constantly fragmented habitat.