Ecological strategies of tree species in the laurel forest of Tenerife (Canary Islands): an insight into cloud forest natural dynamics using long-term monitoring data

Abstract

In Tenerife (Canary Islands), the laurel forest is considered one of the most biodiverse ecosystems of the archipelago. This study aims at providing useful information about tree species strategies and their natural dynamics in order to improve understanding of the functioning of this ecosystem. The knowledge gained would be of great importance for laurel forest conservation, not only in the Canaries, but also in Madeira and the Azores. Our main research question is: 'Are the ecological groups of laurel forest tree species, described in earlier studies based exclusively on regeneration strategies, consistent with species functional traits, growth patterns and spatial distributions?' We used data from six 50 × 50 m permanent plots established in 1999 and remeasured in 2015, combined with information on twelve functional traits from newly produced data or extracted from previous studies. For each species we analyzed the abundance of seedlings/suckers, saplings and adults inside the permanent plots. Two ordination methods were used to assess multivariate differences in functional traits between species. Different mixed-effect models were tested to investigate effects of sites, individual tree size and competition on tree growth rates. Finally we analyzed the spatial distribution of both saplings and adults and their interaction within the six permanent plots. Our results were consistent with a classification of species into different ecological groups based on (1) their shade-tolerance: light-demanding vs. shade-tolerant species and (2) their reproductive strategies: sexual (i.e. seedlings), asexual (i.e. suckers) or both. These differences between light-demanding vs. shade-tolerant and/or seedling-producing species vs. sucker-producing species were consistently observed across the species functional traits, growth patterns and spatial distributions. Only one species, Viburnum rigidum Vent., presented singularities compared with its previously established group. Because V. rigidum is mostly an understory species, we proposed to add a third aspect to the classification scheme: understory vs. canopy species. This led to a total of six ecological groups within fourteen laurel forest tree species. Finally, this study also showed that the Tenerife laurel forest is still maturing and becoming richer in species, which outlines the importance of its preservation.

Are Cenozoic relict species also climatic relicts? Insights from the macroecological evolution of the giant sedges ofCarexsect.Rhynchocystis(Cyperaceae)

“…While the relative influence on MLF flora of migration and extinction in response to climatic changes has been well documented (Chanderbali et al, 2001; Rodríguez‐Sánchez et al, 2009; Fernández‐Palacios et al, 2011, 2017; Schüßler et al, 2019), the role of ecological adaptation has remained underexplored in the Azores and Madeira compared with the Canary Islands (e.g., García‐Maroto et al, 2009; Curto et al, 2018; Ganivet et al, 2019; Schüßler et al, 2019). Species inhabiting laurisilva forests could have changed their ancestral environmental requirements (niche shift; Ackerly, 2003) to adapt to the current Macaronesian climate, or have retained the niche of their putative Paleotropical flora ancestors (niche conservatism; Wiens and Graham, 2005; Wiens et al, 2010), thus remaining as climatic relicts (e.g., Pulido et al, 2008; Hampe and Jump, 2011).…”

Tree-ring distinctness, dating potential and climatic sensitivity of laurel forest tree species in Tenerife Island

“…Tree species, botanical family and total number of sampled trees per species in the laurel forests of Anaga and Teno, Tenerife Island. Shade tolerance (classification obtained fromArévalo & Fernández-Palacios, 2007, Fernández-Palacios et al, 2017and Ganivet et al, 2019, dry wood density(Fernández-Palacios et al, 2017 and Peraza Oramas and López …”

Evaluación de la plasticidad fenotípica de una especie nativa de la selva misionera (Cabralea canjerana (Vell.) Mart.) y determinación de pautas para manejar su regeneración

“…En el trabajo con O. puberula la causa de la distribución se asoció principalmente a los requerimientos de mayores cantidades de luz asociado a claros en el bosque (Caldato et al 2003). Por otro lado, varias especies de la selva nublada en canarias tuvieron patrones de regeneración agrupados en una categoría equivalente a J, tanto en especies pioneras como intermedias, o persistentes con semillas pequeñas, medianas o grandes (Ganivet et al 2019). Estos resultados indican que el agrupamiento de la regeneración es habitual en especies tropicales, posiblemente por diferentes motivos.…”