Tree Replacement in a Cove Hardwood Forest of the Southern Appalachians

Abstract

To determine whether non-random tree replacement occurs in a diverse southern Appalachian cove hardwood forest, the species of each fallen canopy tree and its successor were determined in 100 single-tree gaps. No strong intraspecific inhibition or interspecific mutualism was detected. Although non-random relations among species are weak or absent, cove hardwood forests maintain a high diversity (1/1pi = 6.5) both in species richness and evenness through tree replacement in single-tree gaps created by endogenous disturbances.