Variation in Niche and Interspecific Associations across Elevations in Subtropical Forest Communities of the Wuyi Mountains, Southeastern China

A study of subtropical forests in the Wuyi Mountains, China, reveals that plant species' niche overlap and interspecific associations vary significantly with elevation. The research found that while mid-elevations (560–1400 m) exhibit the strongest interactions between tree and shrub species, higher elevations show a marked decrease in niche overlap, suggesting diverse resource-use strategies adapted to environmental conditions. By analyzing 20 dominant tree and 23 shrub species across three elevation ranges (low, mid, and high), the study provides insights into the ecological processes shaping plant community structure in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hu, J., Zheng, Z., Wen, X., Hu, X., Lin, Y., Li, J., Ni, J., & Wu, C. (2024). Variation in Niche and Interspecific Associations across Elevations in Subtropical Forest Communities of the Wuyi Mountains, Southeastern China. Forests, 15(7), 1256. https://doi.org/10.3390/f15071256