Spatial distribution and regeneration of Laurus azorica in a laurel forest on Tenerife

Abstract

We conducted a study to assess the spatial distribution of trees (>4 cm DBH) and the effect of these distributions in the regeneration of Lsurus azorica. Univariate spatial analysis (performed with Ripley's K) revealed that all species showed significant aggregation at short distances, but two groups could be differentiated: shade-intolerant species showed a significant trend towards aggregation at alla distances (especially Erica scoparia) and shade-tolerant species only showed significant aggregation at short distances (L. azorica and Prunus lusitanica). Spatial analysis of trees using Ripley's bivariate K showed no significant differences in the spatial distribution of analysed species pairs. Univariate spatial analysis for L.azorica seedlings revealed that in all the plots the distribution tended to be cumpled up to 3 m and the remaining distances analysed also showed clumped distributions (10 m was the maximum distance analysed), except for two plots. For saplings, fice plots revealed clumped distributions up to 3 m, and only two up to 10 m. We suggest that the high rate of asexual regeneration by basal sprouts and the environmental conditions are the most important factors in the spatial organization of trees, seedlings and saplings of L. azorica.