Mansonia altissima A. Chev. has an aggregated distribution at the juvenile life stage that becomes random at the mature life stage. Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn could play the role of nurse plant in the management of M. altissima populations providing them a moderate forest shade in large gaps for early growth. M. altissima and Triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum. displayed independent distribution patterns. M. altissima is a species with economic value found in moist semi-deciduous forests of tropical Africa. The analysis of spatial distribution patterns can help to understand the ecology of this species in forest stands dominated by emergent pioneer tree species like C. pentandra and T. scleroxylon. To assess the spatial distribution patterns of M. altissima and spatial relationships with C. pentandra and T. scleroxylon in their natural habitat. We investigated the spatial patterns of the three species during three life stages; juvenile (immature trees), premature (trees with minimum flowering diameter) and mature (trees with minimum fruiting diameter). Diameter at breast height (DBH) was measured and geographical coordinates of trees were recorded within ten one-ha plots, divided into sixteen subplots (625 m2). We computed the L(r) function, normalized from Ripley’s K(r) function to detect aggregated, random or regular distribution patterns. Aggregations were detected in juvenile and premature M. altissima. Size and scales of spatial aggregation were inversely proportional to the DBH size. M. altissima and C. pentandra displayed interspecific association patterns at the similar life stages. Both species were positively associated within a radius ≥ 3 m. No positive association was detected between M. altissima and T. scleroxylon. Interspecific association patterns between M. altissima and C. pentandra suggest that C. pentandra could be used as a nurse tree in reforestation and management practices of M. altissima populations.

中文翻译：

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Mansonia altissima A. Chev.、Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn 和 Triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum 之间的空间分布和种间关联模式。在潮湿的半落叶林中

Mansonia altissima A. Chev。在幼年阶段具有聚合分布，在成熟阶段变得随机。Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn 可以在 M. altissima 种群的管理中发挥护理植物的作用，为它们在大间隙中提供适度的森林遮荫以促进早期生长。M. altissima 和 Triplochiton scleoxylon K. Schum。显示独立的分布模式。M. altissima 是一种在热带非洲潮湿的半落叶林中发现的具有经济价值的物种。空间分布格局的分析有助于了解该物种在以 C. pentandra 和 T. scleoxylon 等新兴先锋树种为主的林分中的生态。评估 M. altissima 的空间分布模式以及与 C. pentandra 和 T. scleoxylon 在其自然栖息地的空间关系。我们调查了三个物种在三个生命阶段的空间格局；少年（未成熟的树木）、早产（开花直径最小的树木）和成熟（果实直径最小的树木）。测量胸高直径 (DBH) 并记录树木的地理坐标，记录在 10 个一公顷的地块内，分为 16 个子地块（625 平方米）。我们计算了 L(r) 函数，从 Ripley 的 K(r) 函数归一化，以检测聚合的、随机的或规则的分布模式。在幼年和早产 M. altissima 中检测到聚集。空间聚集的大小和尺度与 DBH 大小成反比。M. altissima 和 C. pentandra 在相似的生命阶段显示出种间关联模式。两个物种在半径≥ 3 m 内呈正相关。在 M. altissima 和 T. scleoxylon 之间没有检测到正相关。M. altissima 和 C. pentandra 之间的种间关联模式表明 C. pentandra 可用作 M. altissima 种群重新造林和管理实践中的护士树。