Spatial patterning of Gonystylus brunnescens in eastern Borneo

Abstract Determining the spatial patterning of tree species can provide inferences on underlying ecological processes. Gonystylus brunnescens is a South-east Asian subcanopy forest tree. To determine the spatial patterns of this species, we recorded the distribution of all individuals in a 0.4 ha sampling plot in eastern Borneo. We found that the pattern deviated from random and was well-described by the Matérn cluster model; clusters had a radius of approximately 4.2 m and contained an average of six seedlings each. This supports the hypothesis of animal-dispersed seeds and, due to a clear lack of association of juveniles with adults, may be due to scatter-hoarding of seeds by small mammal seed dispersers.