Environmental filtering structures tree functional traits combination and lineages across space in tropical tree assemblages

Abstract

Environmental filtering consistently shapes the functional and phylogenetic structure of species across space within diverse forests. However, poor descriptions of community functional and lineage distributions across space hamper the accurate understanding of coexistence mechanisms. We combined environmental variables and geographic space to explore how traits and lineages are filtered by environmental factors using extended RLQ and fourth-corner analyses across different spatial scales. The dispersion patterns of traits and lineages were also examined in a 20-ha tropical rainforest dynamics plot in southwest China. We found that environmental filtering was detected across all spatial scales except the largest scale (100 × 100 m). Generally, the associations between functional traits and environmental variables were more or less consistent across spatial scales. Species with high resource acquisition-related traits were associated with the resource-rich part of the plot across the different spatial scales, whereas resource-conserving functional traits were distributed in limited-resource environments. Furthermore, we found phylogenetic and functional clustering at all spatial scales. Similar functional strategies were also detected among distantly related species, suggesting that phylogenetic distance is not necessarily a proxy for functional distance. In summary, environmental filtering considerably structured the trait and lineage assemblages in this species-rich tropical rainforest.

A combination of morphological and photosynthetic functional traits maintains the vertical distribution of bryophytes in a subtropical cloud forest

“…The morphological traits of species reflect the functional strategies of species (Ricklefs and O'Rourke, ; Asefa et al., ). We found variations in morphology of bryophytes distributed in the three microhabitats along a vertical gradient, where leaves and leaf cells were smaller and slimmer in branch‐dwelling species than in those on tree trunks; these traits may be an ecological strategy to reduce heat loading (Waite and Sack, ).…”

“…Species’ distributions are restricted by abiotic and biotic filters through selection on their functional traits (Asefa et al., ). The functional strategies of species are closely related to their morphological traits (Ricklefs and O'Rourke, ).…”

An extensive suite of functional traits distinguishes Hawaiian wet and dry forests and enables prediction of species vital rates

“…Second, we tested the hypothesis that on average, species of the dry forest would have narrower ranges in trait values than the wet forest (Nathan, Osem, Shachak, Meron, & Salguero-Gómez, 2016). Two main processes of community assembly affect functional diversity at local scale: environmental (or habitat) filtering and biotic interactions (Asefa et al, 2017;Chesson, 2000;Cornwell, Schwilk, & Ackerly, 2006). In low-resource habitats, environmental filtering is expected to more strongly constrain trait diversity, as would the reduction of biotic interactions which would promote greater niche overlap (Lebrija-Trejos, Meave, Poorter, Pérez-García, & Bongers, 2010;Nathan et al, 2016;Weiher & Keddy, 1995).…”

Taxonomic and functional anuran beta diversity of a subtropical metacommunity respond differentially to environmental and spatial predictors

“…We also expect diversity componentstaxonomic and functional -to present similar responses to the sets of descriptors evaluated [30]. Through functional traits, species can shape, change and accommodate in the environment where they occur [39,40]. Consequently, species distribution can be expected as resulting from combinations of ecologically relevant characteristics allowing them to persist in a given set of environments [41].…”