The effect of neighbor species’ phylogenetic and trait difference on tree growth in subtropical forests

To comprehensively understand ecological dynamics within a forest ecosystem, it is vital to explore how surrounding trees influence the growth of individual trees in a community. Biotic interactions have a significant potential impacts on individual tree growth and their effects can be evaluated through trait and phylogenetic-based approaches. This study investigates the relative importance of biotic interactions on tree growth by examining several metrics and considering three classes of intrinsic growth rates among the focal individuals: slower, intermediate and faster-growing trees. The metrics include hierarchical and absolute trait differences of focal trees to neighbors, neighborhood crowding index, phylogenetic distance, and trait community metrics. Our results indicated that the phylogenetic distance between the focal tree and its neighbors positively impacted the growth of all classes, whereas different traits have distinct effects on slower and faster-growing trees. Specific l..., To assess the effects of neighborhood interactions and community structure on tree growth, we performed quantile regression models (QR) with AGR logarithmic as the response variable and non-correlated neighborhood variables as predictor, using the ‘rq’ function in the R package quantreg., , # Manuscript effect of neighbor on individual tree growth

This study aimed to investigate the relative importance of biotic interactions on tree growth by examining several metrics, including hierarchical and absolute trait differences of focal trees to neighbors, neighborhood crowding index, functional community structure, and phylogenetic distance.

## Description of the data and file structure

The dataset includes information related to the **site** and the **plot** where the tree individuals were collected, as well as their **code** in the permanent plots. Additionally, the **species'** individual trees were identified, as well as their growth **class** and annual growth rate (**AGR**).

We utilized plant functional traits, which are indicators of plant functional strategies and are expected to be related to individual tree growth and performance. These traits included height (**H**, m), leaf area (**LA**, cm²), specific leaf area (**SLA**, cm².g-1), leaf dry matter content (**...