Asking the Wrong Question in Explaining Tropical Diversity. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cannon, Patrick G.; Edwards, David P.; Freckleton, Robert P.
• Is Part Of: Trends in ecology & evolution. Volume 36:Number 6(2021)
• Page Start: 482
• Page End: 484
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: tropical -- neutral theory -- density dependence -- competitive exclusion -- conspecifics; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution (Biology) -- Periodicals; 576.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2021.02.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0169-5347

Abstract

Abstract : Enhancement of plant diversity via the Janzen-Connell mechanism is often measured relative to neutral models that ignore species' competitive differences. Recent modelling indicates this mechanism is ineffective when included in models incorporating species' demographic variations. This suggests we have been asking the wrong questions when measuring the effectiveness of diversity-enhancing mechanisms.