Patterns of leaf trait variation underlie ecological differences among sympatric tree species of Damburneya in a tropical rainforest.

ABSTRACT:

Premise

Although ecological differentiation driven by altitude and soil is hypothesized to promote coexistence of sympatric tree species of Damburneya (Lauraceae), the mechanistic role of leaf functional variation on ecological differentiation among co-occurring species remains unexplored. We aimed to determine whether the patterns of leaf trait variation reflect ecological differences among sympatric Damburneya species. We tested whether trait correlations underlying functional strategies and average species traits vary in response to local soil heterogeneity along an altitudinal gradient, potentially affecting species distributions.

Methods

At two contrasting altitudes (100, 1100 m a.s.l.) in a Mexican tropical rainforest, we characterized soil chemical and physical proper

SUBMITTER: Giraldo-Kalil LJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9826457 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature