Plant species richness and community assembly along gradients of elevation and soil nitrogen availability.

ABSTRACT: Environmental filters affect community assembly through the functional traits of species. However, the process of community assembly remains unclear because of the complex interactions among the many biotic and abiotic factors. This study aimed to examine the community assembly process of vascular plants along gradients of elevation (45‒2500 m a.s.l.) and soil nitrogen availability. This study examined the trait distribution patterns of four functional traits (plant height, leaf area, specific leaf area and leaf nitrogen concentration) of vascular plants (trees, herbs and ferns) in central Japan, using null model testing. The number of species decreased and increased at high elevations for tree species and herb and fern species, respectively. The numbers of both tree species and herb and f

SUBMITTER: Ohdo T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7243275 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature