[Spatial distribution patterns and association of Loropetalum chinense population in karst hills of Guilin, Southwest China].

The spatial distribution and association of populations can reflect succession patterns and its adaptation strategies to the change of environmental factors, with important significance for vegetation restoration, reconstruction, and biodiversity conservation. We used the point-pattern analytical method to examine the spatial distribution and its association of the Loropetalum chinense population in karst hills of Guilin, China, based on field surveys. On the basis of Ripley K function, we used the pair-correlation function statistic derived to explore difference in the distribution patterns.