Abstract: The study of species spatial distribution patterns and interspecific correlation dynamics is helpful to understanding community development and the mechanisms underlying spatial distribution. In this study, 10 dominant tree species of a 1 hm² evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest in Cenwanglaoshan were used to assess community spatial heterogeneity by the L(r) function. The spatial distribution pattern and interspecific correlation of dominant populations in 2015 and 2022 were analyzed by univariate model and binary model of pairwise correlation function g(r). Moreover, the pattern of tree mortality was analyzed. The results showed that: (1) The community habitats were homogenous, and adult trees showed a random distribution. (2) With the complete spatial randomness model as the null model, 10 dominant species showed aggregated distribution, which gradually changed to random distribution with increasing scale. The aggregate distribution scale of Rhododendron simiarum increased during the 7-year period. The random distribution scale of other dominant species increased, but the main distribution types did not change. (3) With the complete spatial randomness model as the null model, dominant species either showed no interspecific correlation or positive correlation. During the 7-year period, there was an increase in scale of no correlation for 33 pairs of dominant species, while the scale of positive or negative correlation decreased for 37 pairs of dominant species. (4) The dead trees of seven dominant species showed no correlation with living trees at all scales, while the dead trees of other three species showed no correlation with living trees at most scales. In conclusion, there was no competition among the dominant species in the community during the 7-year period. Random death was the main pattern of dominant species. The dominant species tended to be randomly distributed, and the interspecific relationship was mainly non-correlation or positive correlation. The development of the community was relatively mature and the structure tended to be stable.

Key words: community dynamics, spatial distribution pattern, interspecific correlation, dominant species, random death