Crown architecture traits mediate shade tolerance-dependent trade-offs and neighborhood interactions in a subtropical forest

doi:10.1016/j.pld.2026.02.004

Plant Diversity ›› 2026, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (04): 791-799.DOI: 10.1016/j.pld.2026.02.004

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Crown architecture traits mediate shade tolerance-dependent trade-offs and neighborhood interactions in a subtropical forest

Qi Wu^a, Xingchen Wang^a, Yumeng Huang^a, Chengwei Li^a, Lisheng Yang^b, Zijun Zeng^a, Yishan Shi^a, Jianhua Chen^a, Yunquan Wang^a,c,d

a. College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China;
b. Zhuji Natural Resources and Planning Bureau, Shaoxing 311800, China;
c. State Key Laboratory for Vegetation Structure, Function and Construction, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China;
d. The Administration Center of Zhejiang Jiulongshan National Nature Reserve, Lishui 323300, China

Received:2025-11-02 Revised:2026-01-23 Accepted:2026-02-04 Online:2026-02-09 Published:2026-07-25
Contact: Yunquan Wang,E-mail:yqwang@vip.126.com
Supported by:
This study was financially supported by Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (LQ22C030001) and Zhejiang Undergraduate Science and Technology Innovation Activity Program (Xinmiao Talents Program) (2024R404A014).

Crown architecture traits mediate shade tolerance-dependent trade-offs and neighborhood interactions in a subtropical forest

Qi Wu^a, Xingchen Wang^a, Yumeng Huang^a, Chengwei Li^a, Lisheng Yang^b, Zijun Zeng^a, Yishan Shi^a, Jianhua Chen^a, Yunquan Wang^a,c,d

a. College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China;
b. Zhuji Natural Resources and Planning Bureau, Shaoxing 311800, China;
c. State Key Laboratory for Vegetation Structure, Function and Construction, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China;
d. The Administration Center of Zhejiang Jiulongshan National Nature Reserve, Lishui 323300, China

通讯作者: Yunquan Wang,E-mail:yqwang@vip.126.com
基金资助:
This study was financially supported by Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (LQ22C030001) and Zhejiang Undergraduate Science and Technology Innovation Activity Program (Xinmiao Talents Program) (2024R404A014).

Abstract

Abstract: Crown architectural traits are critical adaptations that balance light capture with mechanical stability. Given that light availability plays a fundamental role in shaping forest community structure, co-occurring tree species of different shade tolerance guilds exhibit distinct resource acquisition strategies. However, how shade tolerance governs multidimensional crown architecture and mediates neighborhood interactions remains unclear. In a subtropical Chinese forest, we monitored 5-year growth and measured six individual-level crown traits for 3589 trees. We quantified trade-offs among crown traits and evaluated the relative effects of tree size, spatial structure, neighborhood density, and crown trait dissimilarity on growth across shade tolerance guilds. Principal component analysis revealed two major axes: crown shape (PC1, narrow-deep vs. broad-shallow) and crown size (PC2, height and apical dominance). Light-demanding species exhibited higher scores along the crown size axis, consistent with a strategy of rapid vertical growth, whereas shade-tolerant species showed more plastic crown forms, advantageous for persistence under low light conditions. The influence of crown trait-mediated neighborhood interactions on growth also diverged between shade tolerance guilds. Growth of light-demanding species was suppressed by dissimilarity in apical dominance ratio and crown shape (PC1), yet enhanced by dissimilarity in crown projection area, reflecting both environmental filtering and niche differentiation. In contrast, shade-tolerant species were mainly constrained by conspecific density, consistent with density dependent effects potentially linked to natural enemies. These findings demonstrate that shade tolerance structures crown trait trade-offs and determines how crown traits mediate neighborhood interactions, thereby improving our understanding of crown architecture-driven demography and coexistence in forest ecosystems under global change.

Key words: Crown architecture, Functional trade-off, Light competition, Neighborhood interactions, Shade tolerance, Subtropical forest

摘要： Crown architectural traits are critical adaptations that balance light capture with mechanical stability. Given that light availability plays a fundamental role in shaping forest community structure, co-occurring tree species of different shade tolerance guilds exhibit distinct resource acquisition strategies. However, how shade tolerance governs multidimensional crown architecture and mediates neighborhood interactions remains unclear. In a subtropical Chinese forest, we monitored 5-year growth and measured six individual-level crown traits for 3589 trees. We quantified trade-offs among crown traits and evaluated the relative effects of tree size, spatial structure, neighborhood density, and crown trait dissimilarity on growth across shade tolerance guilds. Principal component analysis revealed two major axes: crown shape (PC1, narrow-deep vs. broad-shallow) and crown size (PC2, height and apical dominance). Light-demanding species exhibited higher scores along the crown size axis, consistent with a strategy of rapid vertical growth, whereas shade-tolerant species showed more plastic crown forms, advantageous for persistence under low light conditions. The influence of crown trait-mediated neighborhood interactions on growth also diverged between shade tolerance guilds. Growth of light-demanding species was suppressed by dissimilarity in apical dominance ratio and crown shape (PC1), yet enhanced by dissimilarity in crown projection area, reflecting both environmental filtering and niche differentiation. In contrast, shade-tolerant species were mainly constrained by conspecific density, consistent with density dependent effects potentially linked to natural enemies. These findings demonstrate that shade tolerance structures crown trait trade-offs and determines how crown traits mediate neighborhood interactions, thereby improving our understanding of crown architecture-driven demography and coexistence in forest ecosystems under global change.

关键词: Crown architecture, Functional trade-off, Light competition, Neighborhood interactions, Shade tolerance, Subtropical forest

Qi Wu, Xingchen Wang, Yumeng Huang, Chengwei Li, Lisheng Yang, Zijun Zeng, Yishan Shi, Jianhua Chen, Yunquan Wang. Crown architecture traits mediate shade tolerance-dependent trade-offs and neighborhood interactions in a subtropical forest[J]. Plant Diversity, 2026, 48(04): 791-799.

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Crown architecture traits mediate shade tolerance-dependent trade-offs and neighborhood interactions in a subtropical forest

Crown architecture traits mediate shade tolerance-dependent trade-offs and neighborhood interactions in a subtropical forest

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