Tree species coexistence in a Mexican seasonally dry tropical forest
Tree species coexistence in a Mexican seasonally dry tropical forest
In this research project, a variety of complimentary techniques have been used to investigate the potential mechanisms that may be maintaining the coexistence of five highly similar interdigitated species from the genus Bursera, within the seasonally dry tropical forest of Chamela, Jalisco, Mexico. The population dynamics, incidences of herbivore damage, plant chemistry, spatial patterns and microhabitat associations of the congeneric species Bursera instabilis, B. arborea, B. fagaroides, B. excelsa, and B. heteresthes were investigated.
Several coexistence theories were supported by evidence gathered during this research, where the predictions of those theories were explained by population processes determined by a seed size-seed number trade-off. The theories of patch dynamics, density- and distance-dependent mortality and dispersal limitation were suggested to interact within the larger framework of differential sensitivity storage dynamics. The differential sensitivity storage theory states that the coexistence of common and rare competing species is maintained by differential sensitivity to temporally varying environmental conditions, which results in fluctuations in seedling mortality and thus adult recruitment through time. Trade-offs between growth rate/performance and tolerance to herbivory/shade were suggested to explain the differential sensitivity of species within the genus Bursera. Temporal fluctuations in rainfall, which in turn influences canopy development and thus light conditions at the forest floor, in addition to herbivore pressure were then suggested to be potential environmental drivers of differential sensitivity storage dynamics.
University of Southampton
Sykes, Rebecca J
3191b467-7232-49a6-92e5-5fc74427028d
2007
Sykes, Rebecca J
3191b467-7232-49a6-92e5-5fc74427028d
Sykes, Rebecca J
(2007)
Tree species coexistence in a Mexican seasonally dry tropical forest.
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
In this research project, a variety of complimentary techniques have been used to investigate the potential mechanisms that may be maintaining the coexistence of five highly similar interdigitated species from the genus Bursera, within the seasonally dry tropical forest of Chamela, Jalisco, Mexico. The population dynamics, incidences of herbivore damage, plant chemistry, spatial patterns and microhabitat associations of the congeneric species Bursera instabilis, B. arborea, B. fagaroides, B. excelsa, and B. heteresthes were investigated.
Several coexistence theories were supported by evidence gathered during this research, where the predictions of those theories were explained by population processes determined by a seed size-seed number trade-off. The theories of patch dynamics, density- and distance-dependent mortality and dispersal limitation were suggested to interact within the larger framework of differential sensitivity storage dynamics. The differential sensitivity storage theory states that the coexistence of common and rare competing species is maintained by differential sensitivity to temporally varying environmental conditions, which results in fluctuations in seedling mortality and thus adult recruitment through time. Trade-offs between growth rate/performance and tolerance to herbivory/shade were suggested to explain the differential sensitivity of species within the genus Bursera. Temporal fluctuations in rainfall, which in turn influences canopy development and thus light conditions at the forest floor, in addition to herbivore pressure were then suggested to be potential environmental drivers of differential sensitivity storage dynamics.
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Published date: 2007
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Local EPrints ID: 466252
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/466252
PURE UUID: ad8b144d-4304-4078-a7fa-7ce426c703de
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Date deposited: 05 Jul 2022 04:56
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 20:36
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Author:
Rebecca J Sykes
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