dc.contributor.author | Schnitzer, Stefan A. | en |
dc.contributor.author | Carson, Walter P. | en |
dc.date.accessioned | 2011-02-16T18:27:21Z | |
dc.date.available | 2011-02-16T18:27:21Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2010 | |
dc.identifier.citation | Schnitzer, Stefan A. and Carson, Walter P. 2010. "<a href="https%3A%2F%2Frepository.si.edu%2Fhandle%2F10088%2F12173">Lianas suppress tree regeneration and diversity in treefall gaps</a>." <em>Ecology Letters</em>. 13 (7):849–857. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2010.01480.x">https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2010.01480.x</a> | en |
dc.identifier.issn | 1461-023X | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10088/12173 | |
dc.description.abstract | Treefall gaps are hypothesized to maintain diversity by creating resource-rich, heterogeneous habitats necessary for species coexistence. This hypothesis, however, is not supported empirically for shade-tolerant trees, the dominant plant group in tropical forests. The failure of gaps to maintain shade-tolerant trees remains puzzling, and the hypothesis implicated to date is dispersal limitation. In central Panama, we tested an alternative 'biotic interference' hypothesis: that competition between growth forms (lianas vs. trees) constrains shade-tolerant tree recruitment, survival and diversity in gaps. We experimentally removed lianas from eight gaps and monitored them for 8 years, while also monitoring nine un-manipulated control gaps. Removing lianas increased tree growth, recruitment and richness by 55, 46 and 65%, respectively. Lianas were particularly harmful to shade-tolerant species, but not pioneers. Our findings demonstrate that competition between plant growth forms constrains diversity in a species-rich tropical forest. Because lianas are abundant in many tropical systems, our findings may apply broadly. | en |
dc.relation.ispartof | Ecology Letters | en |
dc.title | Lianas suppress tree regeneration and diversity in treefall gaps | en |
dc.type | Journal Article | en |
dc.identifier.srbnumber | 90753 | |
dc.identifier.doi | 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2010.01480.x | |
rft.jtitle | Ecology Letters | |
rft.volume | 13 | |
rft.issue | 7 | |
rft.spage | 849 | |
rft.epage | 857 | |
dc.description.SIUnit | STRI | en |
dc.description.SIUnit | BCI | en |
dc.description.SIUnit | Barro Colorado Island | en |
dc.description.SIUnit | Barro Colorado Nature Monument | en |
dc.description.SIUnit | Panama | en |
dc.citation.spage | 849 | |
dc.citation.epage | 857 |