Geological substrates shape tree species and trait distributions in African moist forests.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Understanding the factors that shape the distribution of tropical tree species at large scales is a central issue in ecology, conservation and forest management. The aims of this study were to (i) assess the importance of environmental factors relative to historical factors for tree species distributions in the semi-evergreen forests of the northern Congo basin; and to (ii) identify potential mechanisms explaining distribution patterns through a trait-based approach.

Methodology/principal findings

We analyzed the distribution patterns of 31 common tree species in an area of more than 700,000 km(2) spanning the borders of Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and the Republic of Congo using forest inventory data from 56,445 0.5-ha plots. Spatial variation of envi

SUBMITTER: Fayolle A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3419707 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature