Abstract
Abstract:To understand the variation in community dynamics of tropical montane forests along gradients of soil fertility, death, recruitment and growth of trees (≥5 cm diameter) were monitored over 14 y (1997–2011) in nine plots placed in a matrix of three geological substrate types (Quaternary sediments, Tertiary sedimentary rocks and ultrabasic rocks) and three topographical units (ridge, middle and lower slopes) on Mount Kinabalu, Borneo. The plot area was 0.05 ha for ridge, 0.1 ha for middle slope and 0.2 ha (on ultrabasic rocks) and 1 ha (on the other substrates) for lower slope. Recruitment rates did not show a consistent pattern across geological substrates or topographies. Mortality rates were relatively high in almost all plots during the 1997–1999 period, including the El Niño drought, and in three plots on ultrabasic rocks during 2001–2005. Binomial logistic regression analyses showed that mortality during 1997–1999 increased with soil fertility (soluble phosphorus). Background mortality, excluding these periods, did not differ across geological substrates or topographies. The average growth rate during 1997–2011 was higher on more fertile soils and positively correlated with mortality during 1997–1999. We suggest that a high mortality rate during the drought period was related to high species diversity on more fertile soils, whereas a lower growth rate was related to stunted structures on poorer soils.
Highlights
In species-rich tropical forests, species composition can significantly vary over a short distance between forest stands
To understand the variation in community dynamics of tropical montane forests along gradients of soil fertility, death, recruitment and growth of trees (ࣙ5 cm diameter) were monitored over 14 y (1997–2011) in nine plots placed in a matrix of three geological substrate types (Quaternary sediments, Tertiary sedimentary rocks and ultrabasic rocks) and three topographical units on Mount Kinabalu, Borneo
We suggest that a high mortality rate during the drought period was related to high species diversity on more fertile soils, whereas a lower growth rate was related to stunted structures on poorer soils
Summary
In species-rich tropical forests, species composition can significantly vary over a short distance between forest stands. Habitat specialization reflecting soil properties occurs in relation to variation in topography at the local scale (Aiba et al 2004, Harms et al 2001) and in geological substrates at the regional scale (Condit et al 2002, Pyke et al 2001). The forest structure can vary drastically over a small distance, and this should be explained by habitat heterogeneity, including soil conditions (reflecting topographic and geological variation) and disturbance regime (often related to topography) Many studies have shown that tropical forest communities strikingly differ between geological substrate types at similar altitudes (Aiba & Kitayama 1999, Proctor et al 1983) and vary along the topographical gradient (Takyu et al 2002, Tanner 1977). In a Bornean lowland forest, the mortality and growth rate were the lowest on the poorest soils
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