Memories of Trees Past: Coexistence Implications of Legacy Conspecific Density Dependence.

ABSTRACT: The Janzen-Connell Hypothesis posits that plant species diversity is maintained by a reduction in seedling survival near living conspecific trees relative to heterospecifics-known as negative conspecific density dependence (CDD). CDD facilitates coexistence if stronger than heterospecific density dependence (HDD). However, whether and how long CDD persists after trees die is unknown. In a three-year study across three forests, we monitored seedling survival near living and dead trees, both conspecific and heterospecific, across a seven-year chrono-sequence since tree death. CDD persisted for at least 5 years after tree death ('legacy CDD'), and most species showed stronger CDD relative to HDD through time. We used our empirical findings to parametrize a theoretical community dynamics model

SUBMITTER: Magee LJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12541246 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature