Testing patterns of zonation in mangroves: scale dependence and environmental correlates in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh

摘要: Summary1 Associations between abiotic variables and patterns of species distribution abundance are a major preoccupation community ecologists. In many habitats, this association is manifest in discrete zones vegetation. 2 We used statistical methods to examine tree relatively undisturbed regions the Sundarbans Bangladesh. We tested hypothesis that mangroves occur with respect elevation. These data were gathered explicit attention local regional differences edaphic characteristics so species-environment relationships could be analysed at several spatial scales. 3 Correlations also assessed mangrove composition co-vary elevation, i.e. salinity, field capacity, cation exchange percentage silt, physiognomic category (slope, basin, levee flat). 4 Quantitative analysis using randomization techniques failed detect zonation along any 33 individual 200-m transects, within 1-km2 blocks, or 1200-km2 regions. 5 Canonical correspondence relating distributions accounted for total only 24% variance composition. 6 Our suggest absence Bangladesh reflects underlying biology system not an artefact long-term human disturbance.