Functional Traits and Species Identity Drive Decomposition Along a Successional Gradient in Upper Andean Tropical Forests

Biotropica, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 57(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Leaf litter decomposition constitutes one of the most vital processes for maintaining productivity and carbon release in ecosystems. However, this remains least understood upper Andean tropical forests (UATF), a highly diverse ecoregion that has undergone extensive transformation over centuries. In study, we aimed to determine relationships between rates leaf litter, functional traits, microclimatic conditions along successional gradient UATF. We also tested “after‐life effect” by analyzing changes green senescent leaves. performed fully reciprocal translocation experiment with 15 representative species UATF set 14 permanent plots using 2520 litterbags distributed across 42 experimental units (three litterbeds per plot), 1.5 years, four harvesting times (3, 6, 12, 18 months). Chemical physical traits were measured leaves identify best predictors analyze effect.” found identity drive UATF, rather than succession soil moisture temperature. The relative importance was prevalent all stages decay, despite being stronger early phases. Although an decomposition, chemical composition from indicated substantial nitrogen resorption, which is limiting resource montane forests. With increasing landscape plant could have profound impacts altering rates, nutrient cycling, global storage.

Language: Английский

---

A comprehensive framework for vegetation succession

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(4)

Published: April 1, 2024

Abstract Succession is defined as a directional change in species populations, the community, and ecosystem at site following disturbance. fundamental concept ecology it links different disciplines. An improved understanding of succession urgently needed Anthropocene to predict widespread effects global on recovery, but comprehensive successional framework (CSF) lacking. A CSF synthesize results, draw generalizations, advance theory, make decisions for restoration. We first show that an integral part socio‐ecological system dynamics driven by social ecological factors operating spatial scales, ranging from patch globe. then present local scale (patch landscape) which takes place explain underlying processes mechanisms scale. The reflects increasingly broader perspective includes recent theoretical advances not only focusing replacement also development, considering system, taking effect past current land use, landscape context, biotic interactions, feedback loops into account. discuss how can be used integrate studies, its implications

Language: Английский

---

Feedback loops drive ecological succession: towards a unified conceptual framework

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 99(3), P. 928 - 949

Published: Jan. 16, 2024

ABSTRACT The core principle shared by most theories and models of succession is that, following a major disturbance, plant–environment feedback dynamics drive directional change in the plant community. commonly studied loops are those which regrowth community causes changes to abiotic (e.g. soil nutrients) or biotic dispersers) environment, differentially affect species availability performance. This, turn, leads shifts composition However, there many other PE that potentially succession, each can be considered model succession. While generate predictable successional trajectories, generally observed highly variable. Factors contributing this variability stochastic processes involved dynamics, such as individual mortality seed dispersal, extrinsic not affected but do performance availability. Both lead variation identity dominant within communities. further contingencies if these differ their effect on environment (priority effects). Predictability thus intrinsically linked features ecological We present new conceptual framework integrates propositions discussed above. This defines seven general causes: landscape context, disturbance land‐use, factors, availability, performance, When loop, when not, they create trajectories dynamics. proposed provides guide for linking into causal pathways represent specific Our represents systematic approach identifying main at different stages. It used comparisons among study sites along environmental gradients, conceptualise studies, formulation research questions design field studies. Mapping an extensive onto our revealed representing study's empirical outcomes had important differences, underlining need move beyond currently dominate fields find ways examine importance interactions alternative To aim, we argue integrating long‐term studies across anthropogenic combined with controlled experiments dynamic modelling.

Language: Английский

---

Fire effects on pollination and plant reproduction: a quantitative review

Annals of Botany, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 1, 2024

Abstract Background and Aims Fire may favour plant flowering by opening up the vegetation increasing abiotic resource availability. Increased floral display size can attract more pollinators increase absolute fruit seed production immediately after a fire. However, anthropogenic increases in fire frequency alter these responses. We aim to assess effects of on pollination reproductive success plants at global scale. Methods performed systematic literature review meta-analyses examine overall as well different parameters reproduction. also explored what extent responses vary among pollinators, vectors, regeneration strategies, compatibility systems, types biomes. Key Results Most studies were conducted fire-prone ecosystems. Overall, single fires increased reproduction but this effect was overridden recurrent fires. Floral visitation rates enhanced following wildfire, especially bee-pollinated plants. fruits or seeds not set. The benefits mostly observed wind-pollinated (graminoids), herbaceous resprouter species. Finally, positively correlated with success. Conclusions has central role sexual suggests that are probably driven resources consequent size. efficiency, measured set, does In contrast, when assessed same simultaneously, translated into due changes nature response

Language: Английский

---

Biomass recovery along a tropical forest succession: Trends on tree diversity, wood traits and stand structure

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 555, P. 121709 - 121709

Published: Jan. 21, 2024

Language: Английский

---

Forest Attribute Dynamics in Secondary Forests: Insights for Advancing Ecological Restoration and Transformative Territorial Management in the Amazon

Diversity, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(1), P. 39 - 39

Published: Jan. 6, 2025

The Amazon ecosystem plays a vital role in global climate regulation and biodiversity conservation but faces escalating threats from deforestation degradation. resulting secondary forests (SFs) provide promising opportunity for Transformative Territorial Management, fostering restoration enhancing values. This study evaluated aboveground biomass (AGB), species diversity, forest structure, soil properties SFs of the Colombian along chronosequence, early to mature successional stages, landscapes mountains hills identify key indicators effective management. results show consistent increase AGB, quality with age, though recovery patterns varied between both evaluated. Topographic differences influenced dynamics, mountainous showing faster compared steadier, linear growth observed hill areas. In hills, AGB at 10 years reached 12.65% expected forest, increasing nearly 42% by 40 abandonment, rate 0.708 Mg C ha−1 year−1. contrast, mountain landscape, approximately 8.35% carbon increased 63.55% years. Forest age emerged as primary drivers recovery, while diversity structure played indirect significant roles. areas, practices are critical maintaining steady growth, whereas regions benefit assisted natural regeneration (ANR) accelerate recovery. These findings highlight importance prioritizing management central strategy achieving goals. Such essential enhance ecological resilience ensure their long-term sustainability, contributors efforts provision services.

Language: Английский

---

Tree species diversity increases carbon stocks in tropical montane cloud forests across successional stages

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 578, P. 122480 - 122480

Published: Jan. 9, 2025

Language: Английский

---

Temperate forest plants are associated with heterogeneous semi-open canopy conditions shaped by large herbivores

Nature Plants, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 14, 2025

Language: Английский

---

Power and Efficiency in Living Systems

Sci, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 6(2), P. 28 - 28

Published: May 6, 2024

Energy transformation powers change in the universe. In physical systems, maximal power (rate of energy input or output) may occur only at submaximal efficiency (output/input), conversely, power. My review and living systems various levels biological organization reveals that (1) trade-offs (negative correlations) between efficiency, as expected chiefly for resource-supply systems; (2) synergy (positive occurs resource use which result from (a) increasing allocation to production versus maintenance rate increases (b) natural selection eliminating organisms exceed a limit because deleterious speed-related effects; (3) productive indicates species-wide ‘fitness’, whereas acquisition local ‘adaptiveness’, viewed along body size spectrum within clades related species; (4) covariation across space time many scales; (5) energetic power/efficiency relates rates efficiencies/effectiveness nutrient/water uptake/use, functional performance activities, information acquisition/processing; (6) approach has useful theoretical practical applications deserving more study.

Language: Английский

---

Height growth and biomass partitioning during secondary succession differ among forest light strata and successional guilds in a tropical rainforest

Oikos, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2024(6)

Published: March 8, 2024

In closed‐canopy systems globally, plants exhibit intense competition for light, prioritizing vertical growth to attain elevated positions within the canopy. Light is especially in tropical rainforests because of their dense shaded stands, and during forest succession concomitant changes light profiles. We evaluated how height individual tree differs among strata (canopy, sub‐canopy understorey) successional guilds (early, mid‐ late species) secondary a Mexican rainforest. Fourteen stands differing time since agricultural abandonment (1–25 years) were monitored seven consecutive years. For each stand census year we estimated relative intensity (RLI) categorized trees into strata: understorey (RLI ≦ 33.3%), (33.3% RLI 66.6%) canopy ≧ 66.6%), based on literature. two measures growth: absolute (HG abs , cm −1 ) calculated as difference between censuses, biomass partitioning bp kg × 100) percentage total aboveground partitioned growth. Earlier succession, all had greater HG resulting rapid development. was fastest trees, followed by trees. These differences strata, combined with inter‐specific variation continuous recruitment small individuals, lead differentiation sizes increase structural heterogeneity. than reflecting ontogenetic strategy from persistence. With both decreased, most strongly probably an increased exposure drought stress. stabilize size structure reduce rate

Language: Английский

---