Werner, F.A. & Homeier, J. (2014): <b>Is tropical montane forest heterogeneity promoted by a resource-driven feedback cycle? Evidence from nutrient relations, herbivory and litter decomposition along a topographical gradient</b>. <i>Functional Ecology</i> <b>x</b>(x), x.
Resource Description
Title:
Is tropical montane forest heterogeneity promoted by a resource-driven feedback cycle? Evidence from nutrient relations, herbivory and litter decomposition along a topographical gradient
FOR816dw ID:
1288
Publication Date:
2014-11-07
License and Usage Rights:
PAK 823-825 data user agreement. (www.tropicalmountainforest.org/dataagreementp3.do)
Resource Owner(s):
Individual:
Florian A. Werner
Contact:
email:
florianwerner <at> yahoo.com
AG Funktionelle Ökologie
Institut für Biologie und Umweltwissenschaften
Universität Oldenburg
Postfach (P.O. box) 2503
D-26111 Oldenburg
Individual:
Jürgen Homeier
Contact:
email:
jhomeie <at> gwdg.de
Faculty of Resource Management
University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HAWK)
37077 Göttingen
Germany
Abstract:
1. Ridges of tropical mountains often differ strikingly from neighbouring ravines in terms of<br/>
forest structure, productivity and species composition. This heterogeneity is poorly understood<br/>
despite its critical role in biodiversity maintenance, carbon and nutrient budgets.<br/>
2. We examined measures of tree biomass and productivity, foliage and litter quality (nutrient<br/>
concentrations, specific leaf mass, phenolics), herbivory and leaf litter decomposition in each<br/>
six plots laid out in upper and lower slope position in a tropical montane moist forest in southeastern<br/>
Ecuador.<br/>
3. Productivity, quality of foliage and litter as well as herbivory were significantly lower in<br/>
upper slope position, and closely correlated with soil nutrient concentrations and accumulated<br/>
humus. The decomposition of upper slope leaf litter (decomposition rate k) was substantially<br/>
lower than in litter from lower slope forest, whereas the site of decomposition (slope position)<br/>
only had a marginal effect on the decomposition rate.<br/>
4. Our results suggest that the differences in stand structure, productivity, foliar quality, herbivory<br/>
and decomposition between slope positions are ultimately due to stronger nutrient limitations<br/>
in upper slope forest. We propose a general conceptual model that explains origin and<br/>
maintenance of contrasting forest types along topographical gradients through down-slope<br/>
fluxes of nutrients and water, and a nutrient-driven positive feedback cycle.
Keywords:
| topographic heterogenity |
Literature type specific fields:
ARTICLE
Journal:
Functional Ecology
Volume:
x
Issue:
x
Page Range:
x
Metadata Provider:
Individual:
Jürgen Homeier
Contact:
email:
jhomeie <at> gwdg.de
Faculty of Resource Management
University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HAWK)
37077 Göttingen
Germany
