Strictly parapatric distribution of flightless leaf beetles of the Chrysolina angusticollis species complex (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) in the vicinity of Sapporo, northern Japan

In the southwestern suburbs of Sapporo, northern Japan, the flightless leaf beetle Chrysolina angusticollis species complex is represented by three phenotypically distinct forms which are distributed in a strictly parapatric manner. Boundaries between the forms usually coincided with narrow topographic barriers such as streams and cliffs, and areas with low density of host plants. In only four out of 237 sites was more than one form discovered in sympatry. In these exceptional sites, putative hybrid individuals were also found. This stricdy parapatric distribution and coincidence of boundaries with topographic barriers suggest that the boundaries are tension zones, i.e. hybrid zones maintained by dispersal of native individuals from outside of the zones and selection against hybrids in the zones.     

Identifying contact zone hotspots of passerine birds in the Palaearctic region

Birds are known to be a group rich in pairs of closely related species that have parapatric or allopatric distributions with relatively narrow contact zones. Here we analyse the geographical distribution of these contact zones for parapatric species pairs of passerine birds of the Palaearctic region. Their contact zones are located mainly in southwestern, northern and central-southern Asia, and in northwestern Africa, with a hotspot in the Middle East. A mid-domain effect null model, where contact zone hotspots are a neutral correlate of continental geometry, had a low explanatory power of 3.8%; the observed distribution of contact zones was not sufficiently predicted. Hypotheses involving range contractions and secondary contact in areas of high topographic and habitat diversity may offer more convincing explanations and offer promising perspectives for future studies.     

Spatiotemporal distribution of nocturnal coral reef fish juveniles in Moorea Island,French Polynesia

This study aimed to investigate the spatial structure of nocturnal fish communities at settlement on coral reefs in Moorea Island lagoon, French Polynesia; and the temporal consistency of habitat selection between winter (April to June 2001) and summer (November 2001). The Moorea lagoon was divided into 12 habitat zones (i.e., coral reef zones), which were distinct in terms of depth, wave exposure, and substratum composition. Nocturnal visual censuses among the 12 habitats found that the recently settled juveniles of 25 species recorded were dispatched among three communities spatially distributed according to the distance from the reef crest (reef crest, barrier reef, and fringing reef communities). This spatial communities structure of nocturnal juveniles was consistent in both winter and summer and would be explained primarily by a current gradient in Moorea lagoon (current speed was high near the reef crest and decreased towards the beach) and by the topographic characteristics of reef zones. Among the 25 species, 13 were recorded in both winter and summer. A comparison of the spatial distribution between summer and winter for 13 species that occurred during both seasons found that only 4 differed between the two seasons. For these species, habitat selection would be organized primarily by some stochastic processes such as inter- and intraspecific competition, predation, and food availability. Overall, the present study allowed us to highlight that most nocturnal coral reef fish juveniles at Moorea Island exhibited striking patterns in their distribution and current and topographic characteristics of reef zones might exert considerable influence on the distribution of fishes.     

Break zones in the distributions of alleles and species in alpine plants

Aim We test for the congruence between allele‐based range boundaries (break zones) in silicicolous alpine plants and species‐based break zones in the silicicolous flora of the European Alps. We also ask whether such break zones coincide with areas of large elevational variation. Location The European Alps. Methods On a regular grid laid across the entire Alps, we determined areas of allele‐ and species‐based break zones using respective clustering algorithms, identifying discontinuities in cluster distributions (breaks), and quantifying integrated break densities (break zones). Discontinuities were identified based on the intra‐specific genetic variation of 12 species and on the floristic distribution data from 239 species, respectively. Coincidence between the two types of break zones was tested using Spearman’s correlation. Break zone densities were also regressed on topographical complexity to test for the effect of elevational variation. Results We found that two main break zones in the distribution of alleles and species were significantly correlated. Furthermore, we show that these break zones are in topographically complex regions, characterized by massive elevational ranges owing to high mountains and deep glacial valleys. We detected a third break zone in the distribution of species in the eastern Alps, which is not correlated with topographic complexity, and which is also not evident from allelic distribution patterns. Species with the potential for long‐distance dispersal tended to show larger distribution ranges than short‐distance dispersers. Main conclusions We suggest that the history of Pleistocene glaciations is the main driver of the congruence between allele‐based and species‐based distribution patterns, because occurrences of both species and alleles were subject to the same processes (such as extinction, migration and drift) that shaped the distributions of species and genetic lineages. Large elevational ranges have had a profound effect as a dispersal barrier for alleles during post‐glacial immigration. Because plant species, unlike alleles, cannot spread via pollen but only via seed, and thus disperse less effectively, we conclude that species break zones are maintained over longer time spans and reflect more ancient patterns than allele break zones.     

Plant and Soil Responses to Created Microtopography and Soil Treatments in Bottomland Hardwood Forest Restoration

Although microtopographic heterogeneity is common in bottomland hardwood forests, it is rarely considered in bottomland restoration efforts. The objective of this study was to determine the responses of hydrologic condition, soil physiochemical properties, and introduced and colonizing vegetation to created microtopography and soil treatments at a landfill borrow pit in northern Texas. A series of mounds and pools were created and planted with fast‐growing pioneer species as well as more desirable, later‐successional species. Erosion control mats were installed on half the plots as a source of organic matter. Erosion control mats had little influence on introduced seedling survival or colonizing species abundance, but microtopography strongly influenced hydrologic condition, soil properties, seedling survival and growth, and colonizing species abundance and distribution. Pools were flooded during much of the summer months and had significantly higher nitrate and total nitrogen concentrations than mounds. Topographic position had little effect on survival of pioneer species, but mortality of most later‐successional species was highest in pools. Colonizing species distribution and abundance were also strongly related to topographic position. Despite differences in soil nutrient concentration among topographic zones, hydrologic condition likely had the strongest influence on growth and survival of planted species and distribution of colonizing species. Creating microtopography resulted in a spatially heterogeneous system that reflected variations in natural bottomlands, and introducing a mix of species (pioneer and later‐successional) across topographic and hydrologic gradients may improve the establishment and survival of a diverse community when hydrologic condition is highly variable or difficult to predict.     

Heat-shock protein 70 (Hsp70) as a biochemical stress indicator: an experimental field test in two congeneric intertidal gastropods (genus: Tegula)

Although previous studies have demonstrated that heat-shock protein 70 (Hsp70) can be induced by environmental stress, little is known about natural variation in this response over short time scales. We examined how Hsp70 levels varied over days to weeks in two intertidal snail species of the genus Tegula: Sampling was conducted both under naturally changing environmental conditions and in different vertical zones on a rocky shore. The subtidal to low-intertidal T. brunnea was transplanted into shaded and unshaded mid-intertidal cages to assess temporal variation in Hsps under conditions of increased stress. For comparison, the low to mid-intertidal T. funebralis was transplanted into mid-intertidal cages, within this species' natural zone of occurrence. Snails were sampled every 3 to 4 days for one month, and endogenous levels of two Hsp70-kDa family members (Hsp72 and Hsp74) were quantified using solid-phase immunochemistry. Following periods of midday low tides, levels of Hsps increased greatly in transplanted T. brunnea but not in T. funebralis. Levels of Hsps increased less in T. brunnea transplanted to shaded cages than to unshaded cages, suggesting that prolonged emersion and reduction in feeding time per se are factors that are only mildly stressful. Upregulated levels of Hsps returned to base levels within days. In unmanipulated snails collected from their natural zones, Hsp levels showed little change with thermal variation, indicating that these species did not experience thermally stressful conditions during this study. However, under common conditions in the mid-intertidal zone, Hsp70 levels reflected the different thermal sensitivities of the physiological systems of these two species.     

Multivariate approach to the classification and ordination of the forest ecosystem of Nandiar valley western Himalayas

QuestionsDoes the vegetation composition of the forests of Nandiar Valley correlate with climatic, topographic and edaphic variables? Is it possible to identify plant communities through indicator species in relation to environmental gradients? Can this approach of classification and ordination will be helpful for conservation planning?LocationForests of Nandiar Valley, Moist temperate Western Himalayas Pakistan.MethodsEighty stands were selected for quantitative and qualitative characteristic of vegetation between an elevations of 525–3817 m. Species composition was recorded by using 400 m long transects. GPS, climatic, edaphic and topographic data were recorded for each sampling site. The relationship between habitat types, species composition and distribution along with climatic, edaphic and topographic variables were analyzed using TWINSPAN, Cluster analysis and DCA ordination.ResultsSum 325 vascular plants species belonging to 97 families were recorded. Diversity index and species richness was maximum in the moist temperate zone. Classification and ordination showed that the variance in species data was 7.07. Two-ways indicator species analysis classified the vegetation into eight plant communities. Indicator species analysis revealed that slope aspect, wind speed, temperature, dew point, wet bulb, pH, organic matter and phosphorous were the strongest parameters (p ≤ 0.05) determining plant community composition and indicator species in each habitat. The results also show the strength of the environment – species relationship using Monte Carlo procedures. DCA ordination grouped different species having similar habitat and habitats having common species.ConclusionsThe multivariate analysis of the vegetation along with environmental variables of Nandiar valley confirmed the indicators of each sort of vegetation communities/microclimatic zones which could further be used in conservation planning and management not only in studied area but also in the adjacent regions as well as in the areas exhibit similar sort of climatic, edaphic and topographic conditions.     

Restoring Native Perennial Grasses to Rural Roadsides in the Sacramento Valley of California: Establishment and Evaluation

Along rural roadsides of the Sacramento Valley of California, we seeded native and non-native perennial grasses to gauge their potential value in roadside vegetation management programs. In trial I (polycultures), three seeded complexes and a control (resident vegetation only) were tested. Each seeded plant complex included a different mix of perennial grasses seeded into each of several roadside topographic zones. The seeded levels of plant complex were: native perennial grasses 1 (8 species); native perennial grasses 2 (13 species); and non-native perennial grasses (3 species). In trial II, plots were seeded to monocultural plots of 15 accessions of native Californian and three cultivars of non-native perennial grasses. Plots in both trials were seeded during January 1992 and evaluated for three successive years.     

Plio-Pleistocene climate change and geographic heterogeneity in plant diversity–environment relationships

Plio‐Pleistocene climate change may have induced geographic heterogeneity in plant species richness–environment relationships in Europe due to greater in situ species survival and speciation rates in southern Europe. We formulate distinct hypotheses on how Plio‐Pleistocene climate change may have affected richness–topographic heterogeneity and richness–water‐energy availability relationships, causing steeper relationships in southern Europe. We investigated these hypotheses using data from Atlas Florae Europaeae on the distribution of 3069 species and geographically weighted regression (GWR). Our analyses showed that plant species richness generally increased with topographic heterogeneity (ln‐transformed altitudinal range) and actual evapotranspiration (AET). We also found evidence for strong geographic heterogeneity in the species richness–environment relationship, with a greater increase in species richness with increasing topographic heterogeneity in southern Europe (mean standardized local slope 0.610±0.245 SD in southern Europe, but only 0.270±0.175 SD in northern Europe). However, the local AET slopes were, at most, weakly different between the two regions, and their pattern did not conform to predictions, as there was a band of high local slopes across southern‐central northern Europe. This band broadly matches the transition between the temperate and boreal zones and may simply reflect the fact that few species tolerate the boreal climate. We discuss the potential explanations for the contrasting findings for the two richness–environment relationships. In conclusion, we find support for the idea that Plio‐Pleistocene climate change may sometimes affect current species richness–environment relationships via its effects on regional species pools. However, further studies integrating information on species ages and clade differentiation rates will be needed to substantiate this interpretation. On a general level, our results indicate that although strong richness–environment relationships are often found in macroecological studies, these can be contingent upon the historical constraints on the species pool.     

Shorea balangeran and Dyera polyphylla (syn. Dyera lowii) as tropical peat swamp forest restoration transplant species: effects of mycorrhizae and level of disturbance

Tropical peat swamp forests (TPSF) are being rapidly deforested, leading to disturbed hydrology, wildfires and carbon loss. Cost-effective methods are needed to increase the scale of restoration activities. One method is to inoculate seedlings with their corresponding mycorrhizae species, thereby increasing performance during nursery cultivation, although the benefits post-transplantation are less well understood. This study considered two TPSF tree species, Shorea balangeran and Dyera polyphylla (syn. Dyera lowii), and their mycorrhiza; Scleroderma columnare (S. balangeran) and Glomus clarum and Gigaspora decipiens (D. polyphylla). The performance of non-inoculated and inoculated seedlings was compared following transplantation into five forest zones, representing a gradient from intact to degraded TPSF. In the degraded area, both inoculated seedling species supported higher colonization levels compared to non-inoculated seedlings. Both tree species showed high survival rates in all forest zones, and survival, growth and biomass production were not affected by mycorrhizal treatment. Both species grew faster and accumulated greater biomass in the more degraded forest zones. Nitrogen and phosphorus content reduced for both tree species in the more degraded forest zones, however, inoculated D. polyphylla seedlings had higher nutrient content across all forest zones, as did S. balangeran though less uniformly. Both these tree species are therefore suitable for reforesting degraded TPSF and mycorrhizal inoculation is recommended given a) inoculated seedlings in the degraded area permitted a higher mycorrhizal colonization level, and b) mycorrhizae increased nutrient uptake in the transplanted seedlings, although in this short-term study survival or growth improvement in the inoculated seedlings was not apparent.     

Barrier Island Morphology and Sediment Characteristics Affect the Recovery of Dune Building Grasses following Storm-Induced Overwash

Barrier islands are complex and dynamic systems that provide critical ecosystem services to coastal populations. Stability of these systems is threatened by rising sea level and the potential for coastal storms to increase in frequency and intensity. Recovery of dune-building grasses following storms is an important process that promotes topographic heterogeneity and long-term stability of barrier islands, yet factors that drive dune recovery are poorly understood. We examined vegetation recovery in overwash zones on two geomorphically distinct (undisturbed vs. frequently overwashed) barrier islands on the Virginia coast, USA. We hypothesized that vegetation recovery in overwash zones would be driven primarily by environmental characteristics, especially elevation and beach width. We sampled species composition and environmental characteristics along a continuum of disturbance from active overwash zones to relict overwash zones and in adjacent undisturbed environments. We compared species assemblages along the disturbance chronosequence and between islands and we analyzed species composition data and environmental measurements with Canonical Correspondence Analysis to link community composition with environmental characteristics. Recovering and geomorphically stable dunes were dominated by Ammophila breviligulata Fernaud (Poaceae) on both islands while active overwash zones were dominated by Spartina patens (Aiton) Muhl. (Poaceae) on the frequently disturbed island and bare sand on the less disturbed island. Species composition was associated with environmental characteristics only on the frequently disturbed island (p = 0.005) where A. breviligulata was associated with higher elevation and greater beach width. Spartina patens, the second most abundant species, was associated with larger sediment grain size and greater sediment size distribution. On the less frequently disturbed island, time since disturbance was the only factor that affected community composition. Thus, factors driving the abundance of dune-building grasses and subsequent recovery of dunes varied between the two geomorphically distinct islands.     

Multi-scale comparison of topographic complexity indices in relation to plant species richness

Topographic complexity is a key component of habitat, which has been linked to increased species richness in many ecological communities. It can be measured in various ways and it is unclear whether these different measurements are mutually comparable when they relate to plant species richness at different spatial scales. Using a densely sampled set of observations for Rhododendrons (406 species and 13,126 georeferenced records) as a test case, we calculated eight topographic complexity indices from a 250-m resolution digital elevation model and examined their correlations with Rhododendron species richness in China at seven spatial scales: grain sizes 0.05°, 0.1°, 0.25°, 0.5°, 1.0°, 1.5°, and 2.0°. Our results showed that the eight topographic complexity indices were moderately to highly correlated with each other, and the relations between each pair of indices decreased with increasing grain size. However, with an increase in grain size, there was a higher correlation between topographic complexity indices and Rhododendron species richness. At finer scales (i.e. grain size ≤ 1°), the standard deviation of elevation and range of elevation had significantly stronger correlations with Rhododendron species richness than other topographic complexity indices. Our findings indicate that different topographic complexity indices may have positive correlations with plant species richness. Moreover, the topographic complexity–species richness associations could be scale-dependent. In our case, the correlations between topographic complexity and Rhododendron species richness tended to be stronger at coarse-grained macro-habitat scales. We therefore suggest that topographic complexity index may serve as good proxy for studying the pattern of plant species richness at continental to global levels. However, choosing among topographic complexity indices must be undertaken with caution because these indices respond differently to grain sizes.     

Extensive population genetic structure in the giraffe

Background  

A central question in the evolutionary diversification of large, widespread, mobile mammals is how substantial differentiation can arise, particularly in the absence of topographic or habitat barriers to dispersal. All extant giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) are currently considered to represent a single species classified into multiple subspecies. However, geographic variation in traits such as pelage pattern is clearly evident across the range in sub-Saharan Africa and abrupt transition zones between different pelage types are typically not associated with extrinsic barriers to gene flow, suggesting reproductive isolation.     

The latitudinal gradient of beta diversity in relation to climate and topography for mammals in North America

Aim Spatial turnover of species, or beta diversity, varies in relation to geographical distance and environmental conditions, as well as spatial scale. We evaluated the explanatory power of distance, climate and topography on beta diversity of mammalian faunas of North America in relation to latitude. Location North America north of Mexico. Methods The study area was divided into 313 equal‐area quadrats (241 × 241 km). Faunal data for all continental mammals were compiled for these quadrats, which were divided among five latitudinal zones. These zones were comparable in terms of latitudinal and longitudinal span, climatic gradients and elevational gradients. We used the natural logarithm of the Jaccard index (lnJ) to measure species turnover between pairs of quadrats within each latitudinal zone. The slope of lnJ in relation to distance was compared among latitudinal zones. We used partial regression to partition the variance in lnJ into the components uniquely explained by distance and by environmental differences, as well as jointly by distance and environmental differences. Results Mammalian faunas of North America differ more from each other at lower latitudes than at higher latitudes. Regression models of lnJ in relation to distance, climatic difference and topographic difference for each zone demonstrated that these variables have high explanatory power that diminishes with latitude. Beta diversity is higher for zones with higher mean annual temperature, lower seasonality of temperature and greater topographic complexity. For each latitudinal zone, distance and environmental differences explain a greater proportion of the variance in lnJ than distance, climate or topography does separately. Main conclusions The latitudinal gradient in beta diversity of North American mammals corresponds to a macroclimatic gradient of decreasing mean annual temperature and increasing seasonality of temperature from south to north. Most of the variance in spatial turnover is explained by distance and environmental differences jointly rather than distance, climate or topography separately. The high predictive power of geographical distance, climatic conditions and topography on spatial turnover could result from the direct effects of physical limiting factors or from ecological and evolutionary processes that are also influenced by the geographical template.     

Gynoecium and fruit histology and development in Eugeissona (Calamoideae: Arecaceae)

The Malesian genus Eugeissona, with six species, is sister to all other Calamoideae, which are in turn sister to all other Arecaceae. The structure of its gynoecium and fruit is thus potentially of great interest in understanding gynoecium evolution in calamoid palms and in Arecaceae as a whole. The wall of the incompletely trilocular gynoecium of Eugeissona is thick and differentiated into several topographic zones, with a well‐developed vascular system even before pollination. During gynoecium and fruit development, the outer and inner epidermises are little specialized and form the exocarp and endocarp (obliterated in the mature fruit), respectively. In contrast, the mesophyll of the carpels differentiates strongly and is markedly specialized: four massive topographic zones are easily distinguished within the mesocarp. The peripheral zone of the mesocarp forms the body of the scales (a synapomorphy for Calamoideae). The second and the fourth zones are multilayered and parenchymatous with a massive derived vascular system in the former. The third zone of the mesocarp comprises a stout sclerenchymatous pyrene, made of fibre‐like sclereids, the innermost bundles of the derived vascular system and dorsal, ventral and lateral vascular bundles. The fruits of all other Calamoideae lack the sclerenchymatous pyrene and thus differ dramatically from Eugeissona fruits. The similarity of the processes of histogenesis during gynoecium and fruit development in Eugeissona with those in Nypa and borassoid palms, suggests these features could be plesiomorphic for the family. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 168 , 377–394.     

地形异质性对云南普洱季风常绿阔叶林物种多样性的影响

地形异质性通过调控树木生长所需的养分、水分和光照等而成为亚热带森林结构与物种组成的重要驱动因子。但是, 地形异质性对季风常绿阔叶林物种多样性及其分布影响的研究还相对较少。该文基于云南普洱30 hm²森林动态监测样地(大样地) 750个20 m × 20 m的样方调查数据, 以海拔、坡度、凹凸度和坡向4个地形因子为变量, 采用C均值模糊聚类分析大样地的地形类型, 进而分析不同地形条件下的群落物种组成及群落物种多样性; 采用Torus转换检验法, 探讨物种与地形关联性, 为季风常绿阔叶林生物多样性保护提供科学依据。研究结果表明, 大样地可分为山脊、陡坡、缓坡、高谷和沟谷等5类地形, 地形面积分别是8.00、6.04、7.68、2.76和5.52 hm²。大样地中胸径(DBH) ≥ 1 cm的木本植物个体153 418株, 分属79科179属271种。5类地形中, 物种丰富度、不同径级的植株密度和比例明显不同, 多样性及优势物种多度分布具有较大差异。种-面积曲线表明, 同等面积条件下, 随着取样面积增加, 山脊的物种丰富度始终最小, 高谷次之, 沟谷的物种丰富度始终最大。种-个体数累积曲线表明, 随着个体数增加, 山脊物种丰富度的累积速率最小, 种丰富度增加缓慢, 高谷次之。在被检验的123个物种中, 与地形相关的物种有83个, 高达67.5%的物种与至少一类地形存在显著相关关系。山脊和缓坡中与地形具有显著负相关关系的物种数超过显著正相关的物种数; 而与陡坡、高谷和沟谷显著正相关的物种数高于显著负相关的物种数。普洱大样地地形异质性对物种多样性维持的贡献率为7.8%。     

Effects of summer drawdown on cyprinid fish larvae in Lake Biwa, Japan

The effects of artificial water-level manipulations in Lake Biwa, initiated in 1992 to prevent flooding, on cyprinid fish larvae were assessed by measuring and estimating the topographic change in the reed zones. The shallow, litter-accumulated water in those zones was inhabited by larvae of two species, Carassius spp. and Cyprinus carpio. More than 70% (by volume) of these shallow areas in Lake Biwa was estimated to be lost when the water level was artificially lowered by 30cm from June to October 1997. During the low water level period, significantly fewer eggs of these cyprinid fishes were collected in a reed zone than in April and May of the same year, a comparison with a previous study suggesting that spawning of the fishes was inhibited during the period of low water level. The artificial reductions in water level probably resulted in a significant decrease in the volume of shallow water in the lake and may be linked to the drastic decline in these cyprinid fishes.     

Predicting patterns of plant species richness in megadiverse South Africa

Using new tools (boosted regression trees) in predictive biogeography, with extensive spatial 23 distribution data for >19 000 species, we developed predictive models for South African plant species richness patterns. Further, biome level analysis explored possible functional determinants of country‐wide regional species richness. Finally, to test model reliability independently, we predicted potential alien invasive plant species richness with an independent dataset. Amongst the different hypotheses generally invoked to explain species 30 diversity (energy, favorableness, topographic heterogeneity, irregularity and seasonality), results revealed topographic heterogeneity as the most powerful single explanatory variable for indigenous South African plant species richness. Some biome‐specific responses were observed, i.e. two of the five analyzed biomes (Fynbos and Grassland) had richness best explained by the “species‐favorableness” hypothesis, but even in this case, topographic heterogeneity was also a primary predictor. This analysis, the largest conducted on an almost exhaustive species sample in a species‐rich region, demonstrates the preeminence of topographic heterogeneity in shaping the spatial pattern of regional plant species richness. Model reliability was confirmed by the considerable predictive power for alien invasive species richness. It thus appears that topographic heterogeneity controls species richness in two main ways: firstly, by providing an abundance of ecological niches in contemporary space (revealed by alien invasive species richness relationships) and secondly, by facilitating the persistence of ecological niches through time. The extraordinary richness of the South African Fynbos biome, a world‐renowned hotspot of biodiversity with the steepest environmental gradients in South Africa, may thus have arisen through both mechanisms. Comparisons with similar regions of the world outside South Africa are needed to confirm the generality of topographic heterogeneity and favorableness as predictors of plant richness.     

Effects of the topographic niche differentiation on the coexistence of major and minor species in a species-rich temperate forest

Topographic niche differentiation (TND) is believed to facilitate the coexistence of tree species, but its effects are not well established for minor species or for life stages beyond recruitment. In this study, the effects of topography (slope inclination and topographic configuration) on the demographic parameters (mortality, diameter growth rate and recruitment rate) of both major and minor species in a species-rich temperate forest were examined using a mixed-model approach. The model selection analysis detected interspecies difference in the response of recruitment rate to topographic configuration. However, mortality and diameter growth rate of stems with DBH ≥ 5 cm did not show any species-specific response to two topographic parameters. The recruitment rate of major species tended to be higher under topographic conditions where many stems of the species already existed, suggesting significant habitat segregation. No such correlation was found for minor species. These results suggest TND has a limited effect on habitat segregation among species, and that other mechanisms also contributed to coexistence, especially when considering minor species.