Structure and composition of deciduous dipterocarp forest in Central Vietnam: patterns of species dominance and regeneration failure

Abstract

Background: Deciduous dipterocarp forest (DDF) is the most widespread forest type of continental Southeast Asia. Four dominant canopy species of the DDF are often found in near-monodominant stands, but quantitative structure, species composition and regeneration status of these stands are little understood. Aims: To quantify structural, compositional and regeneration variability of the dominant stands in the DDF at YokDon National Park in Central Vietnam. Methods: We established seventy 0.04 ha plots across the Park to quantify the structure, species composition and regeneration patterns. Results: We found distinct patterns of one or two of the four dipterocarp species dominated basal area i..