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Threats to Biodiversity

There have been five major extinction events throughout geological history, resulting in the elimination of biodiversity, followed by a rebound of species that adapted to the new conditions. In the current geological epoch, the Holocene, there is a sixth extinction event in progress. This mass extinction has been attributed to human activities and is thus provisionally called the Anthropocene. In 2019 the human population reached 7.7 billion people and is projected to comprise 10 billion by...
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Enemies maintain hyperdiverse tropical forests.

John Terborgh1

  • 1Center for Tropical Conservation, Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA. manu@duke.edu

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Tropical forest tree diversity is maintained by top-down biotic forces, not just competition. These forces, acting in specific ways, prevent rare species from disappearing and ensure ecosystem resilience.

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Forest Ecology
  • Biodiversity Science

Background:

  • Tropical forest tree diversity is a complex ecological challenge.
  • Drift and competition can rapidly reduce diversity, especially with many rare species.
  • Compensatory mechanisms are crucial for maintaining diversity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Review evidence for four compensatory mechanisms: intra- and interspecific competition, and density- and distance-responsive biotic agents.
  • Investigate the roles of these mechanisms in tropical tree diversity maintenance.
  • Evaluate the Janzen-Connell hypothesis using seed, seedling, and sapling studies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on seeds, seedlings, and saplings.
  • Analysis of evidence for density dependence and negative density dependence.
  • Examination of biotic agents (predators, herbivores, microarthropods, fungi) and their effects.

Main Results:

  • Biotic agents (host-generalist and host-restricted) cause significant seed and seedling mortality.
  • Host-generalist agents promote even propagule distribution.
  • Host-restricted agents cause distance-dependent mortality, supporting the Janzen-Connell hypothesis.
  • Low propagule density generally prevents density dependence in early stages.

Conclusions:

  • The Janzen-Connell hypothesis is largely supported.
  • Top-down forcing by biotic agents maintains tropical tree diversity.
  • Spatially nonuniform action of biotic agents is key to diversity maintenance.