Effects of competition mode on the spatial pattern dynamics of wave regeneration in subalpine tree stands

• Published in: Ecological modelling Vol. 118; no. 1; pp. 73 - 86
• Main Authors: Yokozawa, M., Kubota, Y., Hara, T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-06-1999; Elsevier
• Subjects: Abies; Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Betula; Biological and medical sciences; Coupled map lattice model; Degree of competitive asymmetry; Disturbance; Forest management. Stand types and stand dynamics. Silvicultural treatments. Tending of stands. Natural regeneration; Forestry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Individual growth; Spatial pattern dynamics; Stand types and stand dynamics. Silvicultural treatments. Tending of stands. Natural regeneration; Synecology; Terrestrial ecosystems; Wave regeneration; Wave regeneration; Degree of competitive asymmetry; Abies; Disturbance; Spatial pattern dynamics; Individual growth; Betula; Coupled map lattice model; Growth; Natural forest regeneration; Woody plant; Perturbation; Spatial variation; Asymmetry; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Softwood forest tree; Gymnospermae; Lattice model; Interspecific competition; Hardwood forest tree; Coniferales; Spermatophyta; Betulaceae
• ISSN: 0304-3800; 1872-7026
• DOI: 10.1016/S0304-3800(99)00050-2

The effects of competition between individuals (the degree of competitive asymmetry and the intensity of competition; an endogenous biological factor) and the intensity of disturbance (unidirectional prevailing winds in the present paper; an exogenous environmental factor) on the spatial pattern dynamics of wave regeneration in subalpine regions were studied by using a coupled map lattice model (a lattice model with discrete time, discrete space and continuous state) of plant populations. It was shown by simulation that the wave-shaped spatial pattern of regeneration is more likely to emerge under symmetric competition than under asymmetric competition and that the likelihood of emergence increases with the intensity of disturbance. It was already shown both theoretically and by field data analysis that
Abies undergoes symmetric competition and that
Betula undergoes asymmetric competition. Therefore, a theoretical explanation can be given as to why the wave-shaped spatial pattern occurs in
Abies forests but not in
Betula forests although both the species occur in subalpine regions. Our theoretical study showed that the interaction between endogenous and exogenous factors determine the spatial pattern dynamics in relation to the regeneration of plant communities.