Canopy structural heterogeneity drives α and β species-genetic diversity correlations in a Chinese subtropical forest.

ABSTRACT: Patterns and drivers of species-genetic diversity correlations (SGDCs) have been broadly examined across taxa and ecosystems and greatly deepen our understanding of how biodiversity is maintained. However, few studies have examined the role of canopy structural heterogeneity, which is a defining feature of forests, in shaping SGDCs. Here, we determine what factors contribute to α- and β-species-genetic diversity correlations (i.e., α- and β-SGDCs) in a Chinese subtropical forest. For this purpose, we used neutral molecular markers to assess genetic variation in almost all adult individuals of the dominant tree species, Lithocarpus xylocarpus, across plots in the Ailaoshan National Natural Reserve. We also quantified microhabitat variation by quantifying canopy structure heterogeneit

SUBMITTER: Yao Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11873571 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature