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Spatial patterns of trees and juveniles in a laurel forest of Tenerife, Canary Islands

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Abstract

Spatial patterns are important characteristics of the forest and theycan reveal such things as successional status and ecological characteristics ofthe species. We tested the hypothesis that spatial distribution will bedifferent, depending on whether the species is intolerant or tolerant to shade.We assessed the spatial distribution of trees (> 4 cm dbh) andjuveniles in eight laurel forest plots. A univariate spatial analysis(performed with Ripley's K1) showed that all tree species havesignificantaggregation at short distances (2 m). Nevertheless, two groups ofspecies could be differentiated: Erica scoparia,Myrica faya and Ilex canariensisshowed a tendency for aggregation at large distances (larger than 6m)while L. azorica and Prunuslusitanicashowed aggregation only at shorter distances. Ripley's BivariateK1,2 analyses showed no significant differences in the spatialdistribution ofanalyzed species pairs from a null model. Only Laurusazoricahad a sufficient sample size for analysis of juvenile distribution. Aunivariateanalysis revealed thatL. azorica seedlings (stems < 50 cm high)were clumped in some plots up to 5 m, but this was not consistent.Saplings (stems > 50 cm high and < 4 cm dbh)didnot show strong clumping even at short distances. L.azoricasaplings had no significant aggregation with, nor repulsionfrom, adults of the same or different species. Spatial patterns of the speciesshould be considered in the development of restoration plans of the laurelforest 90%of which has disappeared or been intensively disturbed on Tenerife Island.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Ecología, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, 38206, Tenerife, Spain

    José Ramón Arévalo, José Ramón Arévalo & José María Fernández-Palacios

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  1. José Ramón Arévalo
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  2. José María Fernández-Palacios
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Correspondence to José Ramón Arévalo.

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Arévalo, J.R., Fernández-Palacios, J.M. Spatial patterns of trees and juveniles in a laurel forest of Tenerife, Canary Islands. Plant Ecology 165, 1–10 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021490715660

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