Rafael D’Andrea (Stony Brook University): Counting niches: Can spatial patterns reveal niche partitioning in tropical forests?

Abstract:

We investigate the idea that tropical biodiversity is maintained by a combination of niche segregation and niche sharing among species by asking whether tree species in Barro Colorado Island, Panama, fall into groups differing by the local conditions where they typically occur. We first group together species often found near each other, then show that the resulting three groups are statistically associated with distinct local nutrient levels. Finally, we find clear distinctions among those groups in traits associated with life history strategies.

Zoom link: https://liu-se.zoom.us/j/63158449287

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