Journal article
Co-limitation towards lower latitudes shapes global forest diversity gradients
Nature Ecology & Evolution, Vol.6, pp.1423-1437
2022
PMID: 35941205
Abstract
The latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG) is one of the most recognized global patterns of species richness exhibited across a wide range of taxa. Numerous hypotheses have been proposed in the past two centuries to explain LDG, but rigorous tests of the drivers of LDGs have been limited by a lack of high-quality global species richness data. Here we produce a high-resolution (0.025° × 0.025°) map of local tree species richness using a global forest inventory database with individual tree information and local biophysical characteristics from ~1.3 million sample plots. We then quantify drivers of local tree species richness patterns across latitudes. Generally, annual mean temperature was a dominant predictor of tree species richness, which is most consistent with the metabolic theory of biodiversity (MTB). However, MTB underestimated LDG in the tropics, where high species richness was also moderated by topographic, soil and anthropogenic factors operating at local scales. Given that local landscape variables operate synergistically with bioclimatic factors in shaping the global LDG pattern, we suggest that MTB be extended to account for co-limitation by subordinate drivers.
Details
- Title
- Co-limitation towards lower latitudes shapes global forest diversity gradients
- Authors
- Jingjing Liang (Corresponding Author) - Purdue UniversityJavier G P Gamarra (Author) - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United NationsNicolas Picard (Author) - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United NationsMo Zhou (Author) - Purdue UniversityBryan Pijanowski (Author) - Purdue UniversityDouglass F Jacobs (Author) - Purdue UniversityPeter B Reich (Author) - University of Michigan–Ann ArborThomas W Crowther (Author) - ETH ZurichGert-Jan Nabuurs (Author) - Wageningen University & ResearchSergio de-Miguel (Author) - Universitat de LleidaSee article full text for complete list of authors (Author)Andrew Marshall (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Tropical Forests & People Research CentreSharif A Mukul (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Tropical Forests & People Research CentreAlain Senghor K. Ngute (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Tropical Forests & People Research CentreCatherine Waite (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Forest Research Institute
- Publication details
- Nature Ecology & Evolution, Vol.6, pp.1423-1437
- Publisher
- Nature Publishing Group
- DOI
- 10.1038/s41559-022-01831-x
- ISSN
- 2397-334X
- PMID
- 35941205
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Sustainability Research Centre; Forest Research Institute; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Tropical Forests & People Research Centre
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99663998902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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