Phylogenetic community structure during succession: Evidence from three Neotropical forest sites

S G Letcher; Robin L Chazdon; A C S Andrade; F Bongers; M van Breugel; B Finegan; S G Laurance; R C G Mesquita; M Martínez-Ramos; G B Williamson

doi:10.1016/j.ppees.2011.09.005

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Phylogenetic community structure during succession: Evidence from three Neotropical forest sites

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Phylogenetic community structure during succession: Evidence from three Neotropical forest sites

S G Letcher, Robin L Chazdon, A C S Andrade, F Bongers, M van Breugel, B Finegan, S G Laurance, R C G Mesquita, M Martínez-Ramos and G B Williamson

Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, Vol.14(2), pp.79-87

2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ppees.2011.09.005

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Abstract

angiosperm phylogeny

chronosequence

community assembly

phylogenetic community structure

tropical forest

The phylogenetic structure of communities can reveal forces shaping community assembly, but the vast majority of work on phylogenetic community structure has been conducted in mature ecosystems. Here, we present an analysis of the phylogenetic structure of three Neotropical rain forest communities undergoing succession. In each site, the net relatedness of the community is initially high and consistently declines during succession. This pattern is evident both when comparing plots of different age classes and when comparing stem size classes within each plot: the oldest plots and the youngest stem cohorts, representing the most advanced stages of succession, have the lowest relatedness. Our results suggest that succession leaves a distinct signature in the phylogenetic structure of communities, which may reflect an increasing role of biotic interactions in community assembly during succession. We discuss theoretical explanations for the decline in community phylogenetic relatedness during succession, and suggest directions for future study. © 2011 Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics.

Details

Title: Phylogenetic community structure during succession: Evidence from three Neotropical forest sites
Authors: S G Letcher (Author) - Purchase University, United States
Robin L Chazdon (Author) - University of Connecticut, United States
A C S Andrade (Author) - Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia, Brazil
F Bongers (Author) - Wageningen University, Netherlands
M van Breugel (Author) - Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama
B Finegan (Author) - Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Ensenanza, Costa Rica
S G Laurance (Author) - James Cook University
R C G Mesquita (Author) - Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia, Brazil
M Martínez-Ramos (Author) - Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
G B Williamson (Author) - Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia, Brazil
Publication details: Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, Vol.14(2), pp.79-87
Publisher: Elsevier GmbH - Urban und Fischer
Date published: 2012
DOI: 10.1016/j.ppees.2011.09.005
ISSN: 1433-8319
Organisation Unit: Tropical Forests and People Research Centre; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Forest Research Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451056202621
Output Type: Journal article

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