Niches of Major Associated Species in Natural Mixed Moso Bamboo Forests

Abstract

Niche characteristics of nineteen main associated tree populations in moso bamboo mixed forests in Luoboyan Natural Reserve were investigated. The results show that associated populations ofSarcandra glabra,Ilex purpureaandEurya japonica, with high important values have great capacity of adapting to environment and also have broader niche breadths.Liquidamba formosanaseldom appear as associated trees and have narrow niche breadth.Castanopsis fargesii,Engelhardia fenzelii,Castanopsis kawakamii,Schima superba,Nyssa aquaticandCarpinus turczaninowiihave close niche breadth and similar distribution range within the community.Ilex purpurea-Castanopsis fargesii,Ilex purpurea-Engelhardia fenzelii,Engelhardia fenzelii-Liquidamba formosana,Castanopsis kawakamii-Dendropanax dentiger,Rhododendron pulchrum-Schima superba,Dendropanax dentiger-Castanopsis lamontiiandCastanopsis lamontii-Carpinus turczaninowiihave high niche overlaps which prove that species having similar or same circumstances demands high niche overlap indexes. Species with broader niches have more chances for niche overlap with other species.Sarcandra glabradistributes widely and has broad niche breadth but low overlap index with other species, which indicates that species with broad niche breadth is not inevitable to have broad niche overlap with other species.