Density dependence across multiple life stages in a temperate old-growth forest of northeast China.

ABSTRACT: Recent studies on species coexistence suggest that density dependence is an important mechanism regulating plant populations. However, there have been few studies of density dependence conducted for more than one life-history stage or that control for habitat heterogeneity, which may influence spatial patterns of survival and mask density dependence. We explored the prevalence of density dependence across multiple life stages, and the effects of controlling for habitat heterogeneity, in a temperate forest in northeast China. We used generalized linear mixed-effects models to test for density-dependent mortality of seedlings and spatial point pattern analysis to detect density dependence for sapling-to-juvenile transitions. Conspecific neighbors had a negative effect on survival of plants i

SUBMITTER: Piao T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3627022 | biostudies-literature | 2013 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature