Document Type
Article
Language
eng
Publication Date
7-2010
Publisher
Wiley
Source Publication
Ecology Letters
Source ISSN
1461-023X
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.
Recommended Citation
Schnitzer, Stefan A. and Carson, Walter P., "Lianas suppress tree regeneration and diversity in treefall gaps" (2010). Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications. 731.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/bio_fac/731
Comments
Accepted version. Ecology Letters, Vol. 13, No. 7 (July 2010): 849-857. DOI. © 2010 Wiley. Used with permission.
Stefan A. Schnitzer was affiliated with University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute at the time of publication.