Functional traits reveal processes driving natural afforestation at large spatial scales.

ABSTRACT: An understanding of the processes governing natural afforestation over large spatial scales is vital for enhancing forest carbon sequestration. Models of tree species occurrence probability in non-forest vegetation could potentially identify the primary variables determining natural afforestation. However, inferring processes governing afforestation using tree species occurrence is potentially problematic, since it is impossible to know whether observed occurrences are due to recruitment or persistence of existing trees following disturbance. Plant functional traits have the potential to reveal the processes by which key environmental and land cover variables influence afforestation. We used 10,061 survey plots to identify the primary environmental and land cover variables influencing tree

SUBMITTER: Mason NW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3776731 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature