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Direct and indirect effects of climate on richness drive the latitudinal diversity gradient in forest trees
Author(s) -
Chu Chengjin,
Lutz James A.,
Král Kamil,
Vrška Tomáš,
Yin Xue,
Myers Jonathan A.,
Abiem Iveren,
Alonso Alfonso,
Bourg Norm,
Burslem David F.R.P.,
Cao Min,
Chapman Hazel,
Condit Richard,
Fang Suqin,
Fischer Gunter A.,
Gao Lianming,
Hao Zhanqin,
Hau Billy C.H.,
He Qing,
Hector Andrew,
Hubbell Stephen P.,
Jiang Mingxi,
Jin Guangze,
Kenfack David,
Lai Jiangshan,
Li Buhang,
Li Xiankun,
Li Yide,
Lian Juyu,
Lin Luxiang,
Liu Yankun,
Liu Yu,
Luo Yahuang,
Ma Keping,
McShea William,
Memiaghe Hervé,
Mi Xiangcheng,
Ni Ming,
O'Brien Michael J.,
de Oliveira Alexandre A.,
Orwig David A.,
Parker Geoffrey G.,
Qiao Xiujuan,
Ren Haibao,
Reynolds Glen,
Sang Weiguo,
Shen Guochun,
Su Zhiyao,
Sui Xinghua,
Sun IFang,
Tian Songyan,
Wang Bin,
Wang Xihua,
Wang Xugao,
Wang Youshi,
Weiblen George D.,
Wen Shujun,
Xi Nianxun,
Xiang Wusheng,
Xu Han,
Xu Kun,
Ye Wanhui,
Zhang Bingwei,
Zhang Jiaxin,
Zhang Xiaotong,
Zhang Yingming,
Zhu Kai,
Zimmerman Jess,
Storch David,
Baltzer Jennifer L.,
AndersonTeixeira Kristina J.,
Mittelbach Gary G.,
He Fangliang
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
ecology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.852
H-Index - 265
eISSN - 1461-0248
pISSN - 1461-023X
DOI - 10.1111/ele.13175
Subject(s) - species richness , ecology , biodiversity , abundance (ecology) , climate change , niche , basal area , species diversity , geography , biology
Climate is widely recognised as an important determinant of the latitudinal diversity gradient. However, most existing studies make no distinction between direct and indirect effects of climate, which substantially hinders our understanding of how climate constrains biodiversity globally. Using data from 35 large forest plots, we test hypothesised relationships amongst climate, topography, forest structural attributes (stem abundance, tree size variation and stand basal area) and tree species richness to better understand drivers of latitudinal tree diversity patterns. Climate influences tree richness both directly, with more species in warm, moist, aseasonal climates and indirectly, with more species at higher stem abundance. These results imply direct limitation of species diversity by climatic stress and more rapid (co‐)evolution and narrower niche partitioning in warm climates. They also support the idea that increased numbers of individuals associated with high primary productivity are partitioned to support a greater number of species.