Contribution of tree community structure to forest productivity across a thermal gradient in eastern Asia

Abstract

Despite their fundamental importance the links between forest productivity, diversity and climate remain contentious. We consider whether variation in productivity across climates reflects adjustment among tree species and individuals, or changes in tree community structure. We analysed data from 60 plots of humid old-growth forests spanning mean annual temperatures (MAT) from 2.0 to 26.6 °C. Comparing forests at equivalent aboveground biomass (160 Mg C ha–1), tropical forests ≥24 °C MAT averaged more than double the aboveground woody productivity of forests <12 °C (3.7 ± 0.3 versus 1.6 ± 0.1 Mg C ha–1 yr–1). Nonetheless, species with similar standing biomass and maximum stature had similar productivity across plots regardless of temperature. We find that differences in the relative contribution of smaller- and larger-biomass species explained 86% of the observed productivity differences. Species-rich tropical forests are more productive than other forests due to the high relative productivity of many short-stature, small-biomass species.

Resilience of Aboveground Biomass of Secondary Forests Following the Abandonment of Gold Mining Activity in the Southeastern Peruvian Amazon

“…The positive relationship between AGB and tree species diversity found in suction pumping mining forest stands of the present study was reported by other studies in secondary forests [60,83,84] and old-growth forests [24,58,76,80,85]. Because of forest woody productivity, it is usually positively associated with tree species diversity [85]. Due to the coexistence of functionally different species, this may (1) increase resource partitioning of the environment, (2) enable positive plant-plant interactions and (3) improve growing conditions for establishment and growth of other species [79,83].…”

“…This supports our results in SEM calculations and could explain why the AGB is higher in suction pumping mining forest stands. The positive relationship between AGB and tree species diversity found in suction pumping mining forest stands of the present study was reported by other studies in secondary forests [60,83,84] and old-growth forests [24,58,76,80,85]. Because of forest woody productivity, it is usually positively associated with tree species diversity [85].…”

UAV-based height measurement and height–diameter model integrating taxonomic effects: exploring vertical structure of aboveground biomass and species diversity in a Malaysian tropical forest

“…It suggests that a taller canopy promotes the species coexistence by producing the heterogeneous local environments under light conditions and moisture availability caused by canopy openings in the emergent and canopy layers (Wright et al 2010). In addition, trees in the understory and the subcanopy layer would contribute to forest productivity more than taller trees in a tropical forest (Kohyama et al 2023). Moreover, species diversity in the understory is a source of potential carbon sources for future large trees.…”