A Comparative Study of the Ecologically Related Tree Species, Acer Pseudoplatanus and Fraxinus Excelsior: II. The Analysis of Adult Tree Distribution

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Abstract
The spatial relationships of adult Acer and Fraxinus individuals were examined in 2 ashwoods of the north Derbyshire dales, using a plotless sampling technique. The species were found to be segregated in the 2 populations observed. In 1 of the populations segregation was found to be of the unsymmetrical type with Acer individuals tending to be more isolated than Fraxinus individuals. In the same population there was also evidence of interspecific competition. Familial clumping in Fraxinus coupled with interspecific competition, rather than a greater tendency for Acer to tolerate sub-optimal conditions, is suggested as a possible mechanism determining the observed pattern of distribution.