Niches and interspecific associations of dominant species in elfin forest of Mulinzi
Taking the elfin forest community on the top of the mountain in the Mulinzi National Nature Reserve in Hubei as the research object,the ecological niche,interspecific connection characteristics,and community stability of the dominant species in the elfin forest community on the top of the mountain were analyzed,and the resource utilization strategy and survival mechanism of plants in unique habitats were explored.Based on a field survey,the niche width,niche overlap index,variance ratio method,chi-squared test,Spearman's rank correlation test,Pearson's correlation test,and M.Godron stability assay were used to analyze the niche,interspecific connection characteristics,and stable communities of the dominant species in the elfin forest community at the top of Mulinzi Mountain.Quercus glauca had the highest significant value and niche width and was found to be the dominant species in the community.Enkianthus serrulatus,followed by Sorbus caloneura,were the main species in the community,but the order of importance and niche width were significantly different.Among the 190 species pairs comprising 20 dominant species,21.05%of the species pair niche overlap index values were more significant than 0.5,and 50.00%were between 0.2 and 0.5.There is a common phenomenon of niche overlap among populations,and dominant species have a high degree of niche overlap with other populations.The overall association with the community showed an insignificant positive association.The chi-squared test showed that 98.95%of the species pairs showed an insignificant or no association.Pearson's and Spearman's rank correlation tests also showed no significant association between most species,and the association between various groups was weak.Most species in the elfin forest community at the top of Mulinzi Mountain were loosely connected,and competition with the dominant species for environmental resources was weak.Harsh environmental conditions altered the survival and resource utilization strategies of various species in the community.Community structures have adapted to such habitats,and environmental resources have been utilized more fully.The community is relatively stable.