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Published on: July 11, 2025
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Vertical stratification patterns of tropical forest vertebrates: a meta-analysis
Edmund W Basham1, J Alex Baecher1, David H Klinges1
1School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Florida, 103 Black Hall, PO Box 116455, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society
|September 8, 2022
Summary
Tropical forest vertebrate communities show varied vertical stratification. Amphibians and small mammals consistently decline towards the canopy, while bats and birds exhibit variable patterns, highlighting canopy as a critical niche.
Area of Science:
- Ecology and biodiversity research focusing on tropical forest ecosystems.
- Investigating community ecology and vertical stratification patterns in tropical fauna.
Background:
- Tropical forests are biodiversity hotspots with complex vertical structures.
- Understanding community stratification from ground to canopy is crucial but lacks consensus.
Approach:
- Synthesized data from 62 studies across the tropics on vertebrate abundance and richness stratification.
- Focused on bats, small mammals, birds, and amphibians, the best-studied vertebrate groups.
- Analyzed drivers of stratification, including habitat structure, food availability, and macroecological variables like latitude and elevation.
Key Points:
- Significant variation in vertical stratification of abundance and richness exists across taxa and studies.
- Amphibians and small mammals consistently show declining abundance and richness towards the canopy.
- Bat abundance is canopy-weighted, while bird stratification patterns are highly variable.
- Local habitat structure and food distribution are primary drivers of stratification.
- Latitude and elevation significantly influence bird stratification.
Conclusions:
- Tropical vertebrate communities exhibit complex vertical organization, with the canopy serving as a critical niche.
- Taxon-specific interactions with local and macroecological factors shape stratification patterns.
- Findings underscore the vulnerability of tropical vertebrates to habitat loss and canopy disturbance.
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