Termite mounds alter the spatial distribution of African savanna tree species: artefacts and real patterns

In a recent issue (vol. 43) of the Journal of Biogeography, Davies et al. (2015) presented novel analyses of the spatial distribution of tree species around termite mounds in a South African savanna. However, some of their conclusions are not supported by the data. My aim in this correspondence is to point out some limitations of their analyses, stimulate cautious interpretation of their results and suggest better methods for future use.