Extended Data Fig. 7: Comparison of edge, intermediate, and interior plots using data from Global Forest Biodiversity Initiatives (GFBI).

Boxplots illustrate average basal area (cm²) (a, d, g), tree density (number of trees per ha) (b, e, h), and biomass density (kg ha⁻¹) (c, f, i). In panels a-c, plots with distances less than 50 m, between 50 m and 150 m, and greater than 150 m were classified as edge, intermediate, and interior plots, respectively. These thresholds (50 m and 150 m) correspond to approximately the 25^th and 75^th percentiles of all distance values. In panels d-f, an expanded interior threshold was used, where edge plots are within 50 m, and interior plots start from 200 m. In panels g-i, an expanded edge threshold includes edge plots up to 100 m, with interior plots beginning at 150 m. In all panels, boxplots show the median (center line), interquartile range (IQR; box limits), and 1.5×IQR (whiskers). Across all threshold scenarios, average basal area, tree density, and biomass density were consistently higher in interior plots compared to edge plots (Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn’s test, p < 0.001). Intermediate plots generally showed similar values to interior plots, particularly in average basal area and biomass density (Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn’s test, p > 0.05). Sample size: n = 679 GFBI plots.