Abstract: Vatica mangachapoiis a key species in the tropical rainforest of Hainan Island, playing an important role in the restoration and development of lowland rainforest in Ganshiling, Hainan Island, China. In order to elucidate the structural characteristics of Vatica mangachapoi community and reveal its restoration status, we examined the niche characteristics and interspecific association of 20 main tree species (as indicated by importance value). The results showed that the niche breadths of Vatica mangachapoi and Hopea reticulata were significantly wider than others. They were the constructive species in Ganshiling, Hainan Island. Only 71.05% of 190 pairs of main tree species had niche overlap. Their resource utilization was not adequate, which was conducive to the growth and development of other species and the restoration of species diversity. There was no significant correlation among main tree species, indicating that the interspecific competition tended to be gentle and that the community was at a stable and rapid recovery period. Resource utilization and the growth and development of Vatica mangachapoi in the community was the best. During community development and succession, Vatica mangachapoi would threaten the growth and development of H. reticulata, displaying a tendency to replace H. reticulata in the community. H. reticulata is an endemic species and also an important component in Ganshiling. To ensure the restoration of biodiversity, human disturbance should be properly applied during community restoration, and the genetic resources of species at a disadvantage in competition should be preserved in time. Our results provide theoretical basis for scientific conservation and rational utilization of tropical rainforest resources.

Key words: lowland rainforest, dominant species, niche breadth, niche overlap, interspecific association.