Light heterogeneity affects understory plant species richness in temperate forests supporting the heterogeneity-diversity hypothesis.

ABSTRACT: One of the most important drivers for the coexistence of plant species is the resource heterogeneity of a certain environment, and several studies in different ecosystems have supported this resource heterogeneity-diversity hypothesis. However, to date, only a few studies have measured heterogeneity of light and soil resources below forest canopies to investigate their influence on understory plant species richness. Here, we aim to determine (1) the influence of forest stand structural complexity on the heterogeneity of light and soil resources below the forest canopy and (2) whether heterogeneity of resources increases understory plant species richness. Measures of stand structural complexity were obtained through inventories and remote sensing techniques in 135 1-ha study plots of temper

SUBMITTER: Helbach J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8858222 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature