Competitive interactions between forest trees are driven by species' trait hierarchy, not phylogenetic or functional similarity: implications for forest community assembly

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 15(8), P. 831 - 840

Published: May 24, 2012

Abstract The relative importance of competition vs. environmental filtering in the assembly communities is commonly inferred from their functional and phylogenetic structure, on grounds that similar species compete most strongly for resources are therefore less likely to coexist locally. This approach ignores possibility competitive effects can be determined by positions a hierarchy ability. Using growth data, we estimated 275 interaction coefficients between tree French mountains. We show strengths mainly driven trait not or similarity. On basis this result, thus propose convergence local community might due competition‐sorting with different abilities only as assumed. then forest structure increasing plot age, which supports view.

Language: Английский

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Scaling from Traits to Ecosystems

Advances in ecological research/Advances in Ecological Research, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 249 - 318

Published: Jan. 1, 2015

Language: Английский

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Phylogenetic community structure and phylogenetic turnover across space and edaphic gradients in western Amazonian tree communities

Ecography, Journal Year: 2010, Volume and Issue: 34(4), P. 552 - 565

Published: Dec. 14, 2010

Ecological and evolutionary processes influence community assembly at both local regional scales. Adding a phylogenetic dimension to studies of species turnover allows tests the extent which environmental gradients, geographic distance historical biogeography lineages have influenced speciation dispersal throughout region. We compare measures beta diversity, structure phylobetadiversity (phylogenetic among communities) in 34 plots Amazonian trees across white-sand clay terra firme forests 60 000 square kilometer area Loreto, Peru. Dominant taxa were phylogenetically clustered, consistent with filtering conserved traits. Phylobetadiversity found significant clustering between communities separated by distances B200300 km, within recent watershed scale Miocene-aged clay-soil near foothills Andes. Although habitat type yielded statistically effects on turnover, patterns we observed more an effect specialization than limitation. Our results suggest role for broad-scale biogeographic processes, as well specialization, influencing forests.

Language: Английский

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A Reassessment of Carbon Content in Tropical Trees

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2011, Volume and Issue: 6(8), P. e23533 - e23533

Published: Aug. 17, 2011

Accurate knowledge of carbon (C) content in live wood is essential for quantifying tropical forest C stocks, yet generic assumptions (such as biomass consisting 50% on a weight/weight basis) remain widely used despite being supported by little chemical analysis. Empirical data from stem cores 59 Panamanian rainforest tree species demonstrate that highly variable among co-occurring species, with an average (47.4±2.51% S.D.) significantly lower than assumed values. Prior published values have neglected to account volatile woods. By comparing freeze- and oven-dried samples, we show non-negligible, excluding the fraction underestimates 2.48±1.28% (S.D.) average. Wood varied substantially (from 41.9-51.6%), but was neither strongly phylogenetically conserved, nor correlated ecological (i.e. density, maximum height) or demographic traits relative growth rate, mortality rate). Overall, assuming fractions overestimates stocks ∼3.3-5.3%, non-trivial margin error leading 4.1-6.8 Mg ha(-1) 50-ha dynamics plot Barro Colorado Island, Panama. In addition addressing other sources accounting, such uncertainties allometric models belowground biomass, compilation use species-specific would improve both local global estimates terrestrial fluxes.

Language: Английский

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Functional traits determine trade-offs and niches in a tropical forest community

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2011, Volume and Issue: 108(51), P. 20627 - 20632

Published: Nov. 21, 2011

How numerous tree species can coexist in diverse forest communities is a key question community ecology. Whereas neutral theory assumes that are adapted to common field conditions and by chance, niche predicts functionally different because they specialized for niches. We integrated biophysical principles into mathematical plant model determine whether how functional traits trade-offs may cause divergence separation of species. used this compare the carbon budget saplings across 13 co-occurring dry-forest along gradients light water availability. found ranged strategy, from acquisitive with high budgets at highest resource levels more conservative tolerances both shade drought. The crown leaf area index nitrogen mass per drove simulated gradient, which was consistent observed distributions forest. Stomatal coordination avoid low potentials or hydraulic failure caused but not correlated gradient trait-based thus explains such contributes gradients.

Language: Английский

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Using functional traits and phylogenetic trees to examine the assembly of tropical tree communities

Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 100(3), P. 690 - 701

Published: March 14, 2012

Summary 1. Niche theory proposes that species differences underlie both coexistence within communities and the differentiation in composition among via limiting similarity environmental filtering. However, it has been difficult to extend niche species‐rich because of empirical challenge quantifying niches for many species. This motivated development functional phylogeny‐based approaches community ecology, which represent two different means approximating attributes. 2. Here, we assess utility plant traits phylogenetic relationships predicting assembly processes using largest trait data base date any set communities. 3. We measured 17 all 4672 individuals 668 tree co‐occurring nine tropical rain forest plots French Guiana. Trait variation was summarized into ordination axes reflect overlap. 4. also generated a dated molecular based on DNA sequencing plastid loci ( rbcL matK ) comprising 97% 91% plots. 5. found that, average, had greater and, lesser extent, than expected by chance. 6. their loadings showed significant, albeit weak, signal, suggesting distance provides pertinent information overlap 7. Synthesis . provide most comprehensive examination relative importance filtering structuring Our results confirm is overriding influence these systems.

Language: Английский

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Fit-for-Purpose: Species Distribution Model Performance Depends on Evaluation Criteria – Dutch Hoverflies as a Case Study

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 8(5), P. e63708 - e63708

Published: May 14, 2013

Understanding species distributions and the factors limiting them is an important topic in ecology conservation, including nature reserve selection predicting climate change impacts. While Species Distribution Models (SDM) are main tool used for these purposes, choosing best SDM algorithm not straightforward as plentiful can be applied many different ways. mainly to gain insight 1) overall distributions, 2) their past-present-future probability of occurrence and/or 3) understand ecological niche limits (also referred modelling). The fact that three aims may require models outputs is, however, rarely considered has been evaluated consistently. Here we use data from a systematically sampled set occurrences specifically test performance across several commonly algorithms. range distribution patterns rare common local widespread. We compare model fit (representing distribution), accuracy predictions at multiple spatial scales, consistency environmental correlations all modelling runs. As expected, choice determines outcome. However, quality depends only on algorithm, but also measure scale which it used. Although was higher consensus approach Maxent, Maxent GAM were more consistent estimating occurrence, while RF GBM showed variables selection. Model outcomes diverged narrowly distributed than widespread species. suggest matching study with essential Models, provide suggestions how do this species’ characteristics (i.e. sample size, distribution).

Language: Английский

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The assembly of tropical tree communities – the advances and shortcomings of phylogenetic and functional trait analyses

Ecography, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 36(3), P. 264 - 276

Published: Jan. 24, 2013

Tropical tree communities present one of the most challenging systems for studying processes underlying community assembly. Most assembly hypotheses consider relative importance ecological similarity co‐occurring species. Quantifying this is a daunting and potentially impossible task in species‐rich assemblages. During past decade tropical ecologists have increasingly utilized phylogenetic trees functional traits to estimate species order test mechanistic hypotheses. A large amount work has resulted with many important advances having been made along way. That said, there are still outstanding challenges facing those utilizing trait approaches study Here I review conceptual background, major remaining phylogenetic‐ trait‐based ecology specific focus on trees. argue that both tremendously improve our understanding ecology, but neither approach fully reached its potential thus far.

Language: Английский

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Habitat filtering and niche differentiation jointly explain species relative abundance within grassland communities along fertility and disturbance gradients

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 196(2), P. 497 - 509

Published: Aug. 29, 2012

Summary Deterministic niche‐based processes have been proposed to explain species relative abundance within communities but lead different predictions: habitat filtering ( HF ) predicts dominant exhibit similar traits while niche differentiation ND requires that dissimilar coexist. Using a multiple trait‐based approach, we evaluated the roles of and in determining abundances productive grasslands. Four dimensions functional 12 co‐occurring grass were identified using 28 plant traits. this description niche, investigated patterns similarity dissimilarity linked them randomly assembled six‐species subjected fertilization/disturbance treatments. Our results suggest jointly determined by acting on contrasting dimensions. The effect decreased with increasing disturbance decreasing fertilization. Dominant exhibited whereas favored coexistence rare dominants inter‐specific competition. This stabilizing diversity was suggested negative relationship between over‐yielding abundance. We discuss importance considering independent better understand communities.

Language: Английский

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A theory of pulse dynamics and disturbance in ecology

Ecology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 100(7)

Published: April 24, 2019

We propose four postulates as the minimum set of logical propositions necessary for a theory pulse dynamics and disturbance in ecosystems: (1) resource characterizes magnitude, rate, duration change caused by events, including continuing changes resources that are result abiotic biotic processes; (2) energy flux flow controls variation rates assimilation across ecosystems; (3) patch distribution patches over space time, resulting patterns diversity, ecosystem structure, cross-scale feedbacks pulses (4) trait diversity evolutionary responses to and, turn, way affects during after events. apply an important class biomass-altering disturbances, derive seven generalizations predict trajectory, rate change, probability, diversification at scales, ecological functional resilience. Ultimately, must define variable combinations dynamic stability, comprising resistance, recovery, adaptation.

Language: Английский

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