Community niche characteristics and interspecific associations of critically endangered species, Vitis baihuashanensis M. S. Kang et D. Z. Lu

During the Anthropocene, the Earth’s ecological environment has experienced dramatic changes. With the global biodiversity crisis continuing to intensify, urgent actions are required to protect endangered species and maintain diversity. Grape species Vitis baihuashanensis M. S. Kang et D. Z. Lu is a grade Ⅱ key protected wild plant in Beijing with only two wild individuals. In this study, we conducted a quadrat survey of its natural and artificial communities, quantitatively analyzed the niche characteristics and interspecific associations of the natural community, and compared the natural and artificial community situations to determine the causes of endangerment from an ecological perspective. Based on analysis, the natural community shows positive associations and a positive-negative correlation ratio of less than one, indicating that the community is still developing towards stability. Vegetative growth of Vitis baihuashanensis is greatly limited, not only because the superior arbor and shrub layers intercept considerable light, but also because species with high niche overlap, such as Deutzia parviflora Bge., Rubus crataegifolius Bge., Clematis brevicaudata DC., and Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill., out-compete for various resources. In contrast, based on the general positive associations and positive-negative correlation ratio greater than one, the artificial community is currently stable which lacks of tall trees and has availability of sufficient light. In addition, Vitis baihuashanensis has non-significant positive correlation with dominant shrubs, such as Sabina chinensis (L.) Ant., and thus competition pressure is relatively small, allowing the plant to achieve reproductive growth. Thus, it is suggested that artificial management of the natural community should be strengthened, including reducing shrub and vine coverage, improving light conditions, and decreasing resource competition with other species to enhance the competitive ability of this species.