SP01 Pilot experiment monthly basal area and height growth. Species richness (1,2,4) can affect plant growth. We meassured monthly growth, to asses how these differences can affect growth in two different light conditions. We are particularly interrested in the differences between intra and interspecific competition.

We established pair-wise competition diallels and four-species mixtures within each of three species pool. In each pool, there were four monocultures, six pair-wise mixtures and a four-species mixture, resulting in eleven communities. All experimental plots contained 16 individuals in an array of 4 x 4, and in mixed communities each species was represented by the same number of individuals in the edge and in the center. We planted plots in direct sunlight (control) and in a shaded cage. Each treatment was replicated four times, once in each of four blocks. The treatment combinations were randomly assigned to plots within blocks.

Pilot experiment

In this data-set we present data between May 2009 and February 2010.

Twelve species: Cyclobalanopsis glauca, Castanea henryi, Cunninghamia lanceolata, Cyclobalanopsis, myrsinaefolia, Castanopsis sclerophylla, Dalbergia hupeana, Elaeocarpus decipiens, Lithocarpus glaber, Pinus massoniana, Quercus serrata, Sapindus mukorossi, Schima superba

Growth will be analyzed as a function of species richness, functional richness, species composition, shade tolerance and species specific nutrient content at quadrat and plot level using general linear models.