The 64 most abundant species (_> 10 cm dbh) in a 400 x 480 m plot of predominantly kerangas forest in Sarawak were individually investigated for two-dimensional pattern by spectral analysis using the basal areas of trees in 20 x 20 m contiguous quadrats. All species had individuals in the upper canopy.30 species showed pattern with clumps. The most frequent scales of clump size were between 35 and 55 m across. Patterned species were less abundant in the plot, had a greater proportion of smaller (10-20 cm dbh) trees and had a lower ratio of upper to lower canopy trees than species without pattern.Trend across the plot between dipterocarp and kerangas forest types matched the change in soil from redyellow podzol (oxisol and ultisol) to medium gleyic and bleached sand podzols (spodosol). However, soil differences and small scale (ca. 50 m) changes in topography did not account for patterns.The scale of pattern matches the size of gaps produced by windthrow. It is suggested that patterned species are light-demanding and grow from seeds in gaps, whereas non-patterned species are shade tolerant, growing within closed forest to sapling size and eventually maturing by filling smaller single tree gaps.
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