Riparian Ficus tree communities: The distribution and abundance of riparian fig trees in Northern Thailand

Fig trees (Ficus) are often ecologically significant keystone species because they sustain populations of the many seed-dispersing animals that feed on their fruits. They are prominent components of riparian zones where they may also contribute to bank stability as well as supporting associated anim...

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Main Authors: Pothasin P., Compton S.G., Wangpakapattanawong P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science 2014
Online Access:http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84907903555&partnerID=40&md5=2a5e4968f8a65c84aae5b556ef160f22
http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/handle/6653943832/37659
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Institution: Chiang Mai University
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spelling th-cmuir.6653943832-376592014-12-09T05:56:30Z Riparian Ficus tree communities: The distribution and abundance of riparian fig trees in Northern Thailand Pothasin P. Compton S.G. Wangpakapattanawong P. Fig trees (Ficus) are often ecologically significant keystone species because they sustain populations of the many seed-dispersing animals that feed on their fruits. They are prominent components of riparian zones where they may also contribute to bank stability as well as supporting associated animals. The diversity and distributions of riparian fig trees in deciduous and evergreen forests in Chiang Mai Province, Northern Thailand were investigated in 2010-2012. To record the diversity and abundance of riparian fig trees, we (1) calculated stem density, species richness, and diversity indices in 20650 m randomly selected quadrats along four streams and (2) measured the distances of individual trees from four streams to determine if species exhibit distinct distribution patterns within riparian zones. A total of 1169 individuals (from c. 4 ha) were recorded in the quadrats, representing 33 Ficus species (13 monoecious and 20 dioecious) from six sub-genera and about 70% of all the species recorded from northern Thailand. All 33 species had at least some stems in close proximity to the streams, but they varied in their typical proximity, with F. squamosa Roxb. and F. ischnopoda Miq the most strictly stream-side species. The riparian forests in Northern Thailand support a rich diversity and high density of Ficus species and our results emphasise the importance of fig tree within the broader priorities of riparian area conservation. Plans to maintain or restore properly functioning riparian forests need to take into account their significance. 2014-12-09T05:56:30Z 2014-12-09T05:56:30Z 2014 Article 19326203 10.1371/journal.pone.0108945 POLNC http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84907903555&partnerID=40&md5=2a5e4968f8a65c84aae5b556ef160f22 http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/handle/6653943832/37659 English Public Library of Science
institution Chiang Mai University
building Chiang Mai University Library
country Thailand
collection CMU Intellectual Repository
language English
description Fig trees (Ficus) are often ecologically significant keystone species because they sustain populations of the many seed-dispersing animals that feed on their fruits. They are prominent components of riparian zones where they may also contribute to bank stability as well as supporting associated animals. The diversity and distributions of riparian fig trees in deciduous and evergreen forests in Chiang Mai Province, Northern Thailand were investigated in 2010-2012. To record the diversity and abundance of riparian fig trees, we (1) calculated stem density, species richness, and diversity indices in 20650 m randomly selected quadrats along four streams and (2) measured the distances of individual trees from four streams to determine if species exhibit distinct distribution patterns within riparian zones. A total of 1169 individuals (from c. 4 ha) were recorded in the quadrats, representing 33 Ficus species (13 monoecious and 20 dioecious) from six sub-genera and about 70% of all the species recorded from northern Thailand. All 33 species had at least some stems in close proximity to the streams, but they varied in their typical proximity, with F. squamosa Roxb. and F. ischnopoda Miq the most strictly stream-side species. The riparian forests in Northern Thailand support a rich diversity and high density of Ficus species and our results emphasise the importance of fig tree within the broader priorities of riparian area conservation. Plans to maintain or restore properly functioning riparian forests need to take into account their significance.
format Article
author Pothasin P.
Compton S.G.
Wangpakapattanawong P.
spellingShingle Pothasin P.
Compton S.G.
Wangpakapattanawong P.
Riparian Ficus tree communities: The distribution and abundance of riparian fig trees in Northern Thailand
author_facet Pothasin P.
Compton S.G.
Wangpakapattanawong P.
author_sort Pothasin P.
title Riparian Ficus tree communities: The distribution and abundance of riparian fig trees in Northern Thailand
title_short Riparian Ficus tree communities: The distribution and abundance of riparian fig trees in Northern Thailand
title_full Riparian Ficus tree communities: The distribution and abundance of riparian fig trees in Northern Thailand
title_fullStr Riparian Ficus tree communities: The distribution and abundance of riparian fig trees in Northern Thailand
title_full_unstemmed Riparian Ficus tree communities: The distribution and abundance of riparian fig trees in Northern Thailand
title_sort riparian ficus tree communities: the distribution and abundance of riparian fig trees in northern thailand
publisher Public Library of Science
publishDate 2014
url http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84907903555&partnerID=40&md5=2a5e4968f8a65c84aae5b556ef160f22
http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/handle/6653943832/37659
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