Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

What determines the number of dominant species in forests?

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Forestry Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this work, the difference in number of dominant species in a community on global scale and successional trajectories was analyzed based on the published data. We explained the reasons of these differences using a resource availability hypothesis, proposed in this work, that the distribution of available resource determined the pattern of community dominance. The results showed that on global scale the number of dominant species of community varied across latitudinal forest zone, namely from single-species dominance in boreal and temperate forest to multi-species codominance, even no dominant species in tropical forest. This was consistent with the pattern of resource distribution on global scale. Similarly, in successional trajectories, the number of dominant species gradually radiated from single-species dominance to multi-species codominance, even no dominant species in tropical forest. The changing available resources in trajectories were responsible for this difference. By contrary, a community was often dominated by single species in temperate or boreal forest. This was determined by the low available resource, especially low available water and temperature. In boreal forest, low temperature greatly reduced availability of water and nutrient, which were responsible for the single-species dominance. In addition, the conclusion that high available resources sustained low dominance of community might be deduced, based on the fact that the dominance of community declined with the increasing of species diversity. To sum up, the richer the available resources were, the lower the dominance of community was, and vice versa. The hypothesis that the resource availability controlled the dominance of community could well elucidate the difference of community dominance on global and community scale.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adema EB, Grootjans AP. 2003. Possible positive-feedback mechanisms: plant change abiotic soil parameters in wet calcareous dune slacks. Plant Ecology, 167: 141–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bao Weikai, Liu Zhaoguang, Liu Chaolu, Yuan Yafu, Wang Zewei. 2000. Comparison to floristic diversity of the primary and secondary humid evergreen broad-leaved forest in Wawushan National forest park of the Southwestern China. Acta Botanica Yunnanica, 22: 408–418. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bardgett RD. 2001. Below-ground primary succession: a case study of the Cooloola dune system, Queensland (Grant Reports-SEPG1891). British Ecological Society.

  • Bi Runcheng, Chen Lifang, Li Peiyu. 2003. Study on Ulmus lamellose community characteristics and species diversity in the south of Shanxi. Journal of Wuhan Botanical Research, 21: 109–116. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bugmann H. 2001. A comparative analysis of forest dynamics in the Swiss Alps and the Colorado Front Range. Forest Ecology and Management, 145: 43–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carleton TJ, Maycock PF. 1978. Dynamics of the boreal forest south of James Bay. Canadian Journal of Botany, 56: 1157–1173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ceccon E, Huante P, Campo J. 2003. Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on the survival and recruitment of seedlings of dominant tree species in two abandoned tropical dry forests in Yucatán, Mexico. Forest Ecology and Management, 182: 387–402.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Qingquan. 1997. Study on feature of Castanopsis eyrei forest. Journal of Fujian College Forestry, 17: 88–91. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng Ruimei, Jiang Youxu, Xiao Wenfa, Liu Yucui. 1999. Community characteristics of Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata forest in Baotianman, Henan Province. Chinese Journal Ecology, 18: 25–30. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng Ruimei, Xiao Wenfa. 2000. A study on Quercus serrata community characteristics in Baotianman area, Henan Province. Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 36: 21–25. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis FW, Moritz M. 2001. Mechanisms of disturbance. In S.A. Levin (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Biodiversity, vol. 2. San Diego: Academic Press, pp. 153–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emborg J. 1998. Understorey light conditions and regeneration with respect to the structural dynamics of a near-natural temperate deciduous forest in Denmark. Forest Ecology and Management, 106: 83–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang Jingyun, Li Yide, Zhu Biao, Liu Guohua, Zhou Guangyi. 2004. Community structures and species richness in the montane rain forest of Jianfengling, Hainan Island, China. Biodiversity Science, 12: 29–43. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang Wei, Peng Shaolin. 1995. Changes of tree species in the succession process of Pinus massoniana community in Dinghushan, Guangdong, P. R. China. Journal of Tropical and Subtropical Botany, 3: 30–37. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Finegan B. 1996. Pattern and process in neotropical secondary rain forests: the first 100 years of succession. Trees, 11: 119–124.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fu Guoai, Feng Shaoxin. 1995. The vertical distribution and characteristics of forest of Wuzhishan, Hainan. Guihaia, 15: 57–69. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Harper KA, Bergeron Y, Gauthier S, Drapeau P. 2002. Structural development of black spruce forests following fire in Abitibi, Quebec: a landscape scale investigation. Silva Fennica, 36: 249–263.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harper K, Boudreault C, De Grandpre L, Drapeau P, Gauthier S, Bergeron Y. 2003. Structure, composition and diversity of old-growth black spruce boreal forest of the Clay Belt region in Quebec and Ontario. Environmental Review, 11: 79–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He Jinsheng, Chen Weilie, Xie Zongqiang. 1998. Types of the evergreen broadleaf forest and their community species diversity in Longqishan nature reserve, Fujian Province. Chinese Journal of Ecology, 17: 1–6. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Henttonen H, Kanninen M, Nygren M, Ojansuu R. 1986. The maturation of Scots pine seeds in relation to temperature climate in northern Finland. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, 14: 617–622.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hong Wei, Lin Chenglai, Wu Chengzhen, He Dongjin, Chen Kun. 1999. Research on species diversity of evergreen broad-leaved shelter-forests in Jianxi River valley, Fujian. Chinese Biodiversity, 7: 208–213. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang Qinlin, Chen Yongfu, Yang Xiusen. 2002. Study on the characters of tree stratum of Pinus Latteri forest in Bawangling Forestry Area of Hainan Province. Forest Research, 15: 741–745. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Huston MA. 1994. Biological diversity: The co-existence of species on changing landscapes. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, p.681.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs M. 1987. The tropical rain forest. New York: Springer-Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jasinski K, Angelstam P. 2002. Long-term differences in the dynamics within a natural forest landscape — consequences for management. Forest Ecology and Management, 161: 1–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keel SHK, Prance GT. 1979. Studies of the vegetation of a white-sand black-water igapo (Rio Negro, Brazil). Acta Amazonica, 9: 645–655.

    Google Scholar 

  • La Torre-Cuadros MA, Islebe GA. 2003. Traditional ecological knowledge and use of vegetation in southeastern Mexico: a case study from Solferino, Quintana Roo. Biodiversity and Conservation, 12: 2455–2476.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lan Guoyu, Chen Wei, Zhou Xiaofei. 2007. Communitive characteristics of Vatica mangachapoi forest of Bawangling in Hainan, South China. Acta Bot Boreal-Occident Sin, 27: 1861–1868. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lehtonen A, Mäkipää R, Heikkinen J, Sievänen R, Liski J. 2004. Biomass expansion factors (BEFs) for Scots pine, Norway spruce and birch according to stand age for boreal forests. Forest Ecology and Management, 188: 211–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Zongshan, Tang Jianwei, Zheng Zheng. 2005. Analysis on the coenological characteristics of tropical montane rain forest in Lancang, South Yunnan. Guihaia, 25: 206–214.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lugo AE, Silver WL, Colón SM. 2004. Biomass and nutrient dynamics of restored neotropical forests. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution: Focus, 4: 731–746.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ma Danwei, Zhang Guo, Wang Yuehua, Wang Daomuo. 2002. Studies on species diversity of forest vegetation on Qingcheng Mountain. Journal of Sichuan University, 39: 115–123. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakashizuka T. 2001. Species coexistence in temperate, mixed deciduous forests. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 16: 205–210.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peltzer DA, Bast ML, Wilson SD, Gerry AK. 2000. Plant diversity and tree responses following contrasting disturbances in boreal forest. Forest Ecology and Management, 127: 191–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prescott CE, Maynard DG, Laiho R. 2000. Humus in northern forests: friend or foe? Forest Ecology and Management, 133: 23–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramanujam MP, Cyril KPK. 2003. Woody species diversity of four sacred groves in the Pondicherry region of South India. Biodiversity and Conservation, 12: 289–299.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richards PW. 1952. The Tropical Rain Forest. London: Cambridge University Press, p102–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi Jipu, Zhu Hua. 2003. A community ecology study on the monsoonal evergreen broad-leaved forest in tropical montane of Xishuangbanna. Acta Botanica Yunnanica, 25: 513–520. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Small A, Martin GT, Kitching RL, Wong KM. 2004. Contribution of tree species to the biodiversity of a 1 ha Old World rainforest in Brunei, Borneo. Biodiversity and Conservation, 13: 2067–2088.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Su Zhiyao, Chen Beiguang, Gu Yankun. 1995. Floristic composition and structural characteristics of forest communities in Babaoshan Nature Reserve, North Guangdong. Guihaia, 15: 124–130. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Swamy PS, Sundarapandian SM, Chandrasekar P, Chandrasekaran S. 2000. Plant species diversity and tree population structure of a humid tropical forest in Tamil Nadu, India. Biodiversity and Conservation, 9: 1643–1669.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Syrjänen K, Kalliola R, Puolasmaa A. 1994. Landscape structure and forest dynamics in sub-continental Russian European taiga. Annales Zoologici Fennici, 31: 19–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wirth C, Schulze ED, Lühker B, Grigoriev S, Siry M, Hardes G. 2002. Fire and site type effects on the long-term carbon and nitrogen balance in pristine Siberian Scots pine forests. Plant and Soil, 242: 41–63.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yan Shujun, Hong Wei, Wu Chengzhen, Bi Xiaoli, Fan Hailan, Chen Rui. 2002a. Height niche of main tree species of gaps in mid-subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in Wanmulin of Fujian. Chinese Journal of Applied Environmental Biology, 8: 578–582. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yan Shujun, Hong Wei, Wu Chengzhen, Bi Xiaoli, Lan Bin. 2002b. The structure and distribution pattern of dominant populations in Castanopsis carlesii community. Journal of Tropical and Subtropical Botany, 10: 15–21. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang Yichuan, Zhuang Ping, Li Xirong. 1994. Ecological studies on the forest community of Castanopsis platyacantha-Schima sinensis on Emei Mountain. Acta Phytoecologica Sinica, 18: 105–120. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu Shixiao, Zhang Hongda, Wang Bosun. 1994. The tropical montane rain forest of Bawangling Nature Reserve, Hainan Island II. Quantitative analyses of the community structure. Ecological Science, 1: 21–31. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Muming, Chen Beiguang, Shen Xiaoming. 1999. Species diversity of the Castanopsis carlesii forest at Luoba, Shixing, Guangdong. University Journal of South China Agricultural University, 20: 98–102. (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, P. R. China

    Xing-bing He, Guo-min Han & Xing-jun Tian

  2. College of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Utilization (Jishou University), Jishou, 416000, P. R. China

    Xing-bing He & Yong-hui Lin

Authors
  1. Xing-bing He
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yong-hui Lin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Guo-min Han
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xing-jun Tian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xing-jun Tian.

Additional information

Foundation project: This paper was supported by Normal Projects of National Natural Science Foundation of China (30870419, 40971151), Project “948” of State Forestry Administration (2006-4-13), and Scientific Research Fund of Hunan Provincial Education Department (08C674).

The online version is available at http://www.springerlink.com

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

He, Xb., Lin, Yh., Han, Gm. et al. What determines the number of dominant species in forests?. Journal of Forestry Research 21, 287–292 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-010-0073-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-010-0073-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation