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Multitrait successional forest dynamics enable diverse competitive coexistence.

Daniel S Falster1, Åke Brännström2,3, Mark Westoby4

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Forest niche theory expanded to include light competition and plant traits reveals how diverse species, including multiple shade-tolerant plants, can coexist. This challenges previous models by uncovering richer niche differentiation possibilities.

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Plant Community Dynamics
  • Theoretical Ecology

Background:

  • Niche theory explains species coexistence by resource partitioning.
  • Previous forest models suggested limited coexistence, especially for shade-tolerant species, due to simplified successional strategies.
  • The potential for niche differentiation in plant communities remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and test an extended niche model for forest plant communities.
  • To investigate how incorporating height-structured light competition and trait-mediated tradeoffs influences species diversity.
  • To explore the potential for niche differentiation beyond current theoretical limitations.

Main Methods:

  • Extended successional niche models to include height-structured light competition and two trait-mediated tradeoffs.
  • Identified two key axes for niche differentiation: leaf mass per area and height at maturation.
  • Analyzed model predictions under varying environmental conditions.

Main Results:

  • The enhanced models support the stable coexistence of a diverse range of species, including multiple shade-tolerant plants.
  • Two distinct niche differentiation axes were identified, enhancing species coexistence.
  • Niche differentiation along the second axis led to "evolutionarily emergent near-neutrality" and predicted diverse vegetation types.

Conclusions:

  • Successional niche differentiation in forests is richer than previously understood.
  • Extended niche models incorporating light competition and functional traits better explain observed species and trait diversity.
  • The findings challenge prior assumptions about limited species coexistence in successional forests.