Architecture of tree species of different strata developing in environments with the same light intensity in a semideciduous forest in southern Brazil

Batista, Natália de Almeida; Bianchini, Edmilson; Carvalho, Eloísa de Souza; Pimenta, José Antônio

doi:10.1590/s0102-33062014000100004

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 52 publications

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“…The critical threshold is sensitive to the physiological parameters, which vary with species. Thus, the threshold varies among species, which implies that in a given light environment some species may follow a sub-canopy strategy, whereas others should strive to reach the canopy, resulting in height-stratified forests as often observed (e.g., Cermák 1998 , Batista et al. 2014 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A tree’s quest for light—optimal height and diameter growth under a shading canopy

2020

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For trees in forests, striving for light is matter of life and death, either by growing taller towards brighter conditions or by expanding the crown to capture more of the available light. Here we present a mechanistic model for the development path of stem height and crown size, accounting for light capture and growth, as well as mortality risk. We determine the optimal growth path among all possible trajectories using dynamic programming. The optimal growth path follows a sequence of distinct phases: (i) initial crown size expansion, (ii) stem height growth towards the canopy, (iii) final expansion of the crown in the canopy, and (iv) seed production without further increase in size. The transition points between these phases can be optimized by maximizing fitness, defined as expected life-time reproductive production. The results imply that to reach the canopy in an optimal way, trees must consider the full profile of expected increasing light levels towards the canopy. A short-sighted maximization of growth based on initial light conditions can result in arrested height growth, preventing the tree from reaching the canopy. The previous result can explain canopy stratification, and why canopy species often get stuck at certain size under a shading canopy. The model explains why trees with lower wood density have a larger diameter at a given tree height and grow taller than trees with higher wood density. The model can be used to implement plasticity in height versus diameter growth in individual based vegetation and forestry models.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A tree’s quest for light—optimal height and diameter growth under a shading canopy

2020

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Interactive effects of functional traits and rainfall event size on stemflow in a tropical montane cloud forest

2022

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This study analyses how rainfall (P) event size influences the effect of functional traits on stemflow volume of woody plants in a tropical montane cloud forest. In addition, it was investigated whether multiple regression models based on functional traits provide better predictions of stemflow volume than allometric equations using only basal area (BA). Eighteen functional traits of size, structure, bark and leaf of woody plants in the overstory, midstory and understory were analysed. Stemflow volume was determined to a greater extent by size traits, mainly basal area and crown area, with these relationships becoming stronger as P event size increased. Stemflow volume was also influenced by other traits that affect the efficiency with which individuals produced stemflow. The crown area/basal area ratio showed the strongest correlation with the stemflow production efficiency metrics (funnelling ratio and stemflow proportion). Bark traits had a negative effect on funnelling ratio and stemflow proportion, with a tendency to be stronger in smaller P events, while vascular epiphyte cover showed the opposite trend. Multiple regression models with two to three variables explained 43 to 81% of stemflow volume variation, depending on P event size. For P events <15 mm, the fit was generally better for multiple regression models than for basal area models, while for P events >15 mm, differences among models were small. Functional traits largely define stemflow at the level of individual plants, but this relationship is mediated by P event size.

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Diversity–biomass relationship across forest layers: implications for niche complementarity and selection effects

2018

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Forest stratification plays a crucial role in light interception and plant photosynthetic activities. However, despite the increased number of studies on biodiversity-ecosystem function, we still lack information on how stratification in tropical forests modulates biodiversity effects. Moreover, there is less investigation and argument on the role of species and functional traits in forest layers. Here, we analysed from a perspective of forest layer (sub-canopy, canopy and emergent species layers), the relationship between diversity and aboveground biomass (AGB), focusing on functional diversity and dominance, and underlying mechanisms such as niche complementarity and selection. The sub-canopy layer had the highest species richness and diversity, while the emergent layer had the highest AGB. Species richness-AGB relationship was positive for each forest layer, but stronger for sub-canopy layer than for canopy and emergent layers. Total AGB was strongly correlated with functional diversity, leaf and wood traits of species in the sub-canopy and canopy layers. This suggests that sub-canopy and canopy species are major drivers of stand diversity-AGB relationship, and that resource filtering by canopy or emergent trees may not reduce the strength of diversity-AGB relationship in the sub-canopy layer. We argue that complementary resource use by sub-canopy species that supports niche complementarity, is a key mechanism driving AGB in natural forests. Selection effects are most evident in emergent species and niche complementarity effects for sub-canopy and canopy species, supporting arguments that AGB is affected by sub-canopy species' efficient use of limited resources despite competition from emergent species.

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Architecture of tree species of different strata developing in environments with the same light intensity in a semideciduous forest in southern Brazil

Cited by 5 publications

References 52 publications

A tree’s quest for light—optimal height and diameter growth under a shading canopy

A tree’s quest for light—optimal height and diameter growth under a shading canopy

Interactive effects of functional traits and rainfall event size on stemflow in a tropical montane cloud forest

Diversity–biomass relationship across forest layers: implications for niche complementarity and selection effects

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