CSR Ecological Strategies and Functional Traits of the Co-Existing Species along the Succession in the Tropical Lowland Rain Forest

Abstract

Trait-based approaches to calculate ecological strategy is important for understanding forest succession dynamics. However, the functional traits and ecological strategy change during succession remain poorly understood. We measured key leaf traits and calculated scores for CSR ecological strategy for 13 co-existing species in different successional stages in tropical lowland rain forests. We analyzed the patterns of functional traits and CSR strategies varied along the succession. The relationship between CSR strategy and environmental factors was examined. Our research results are as follows: (1) In older plots, LDMC was generally lower and SLA was generally higher than younger plots with the succession, the functional traits of the successional co-existing tree species changed, and SLA and LDMC showed significant differences. (2) The co-existing tree species’ strategies shifted from S/CS and CS strategies to CS/CSR and CS strategies along the succession. (3) Ecological strategies are linked to different combinations of environmental factors across the four successional stages. Our study suggests that the co-existing tree species in different succession stages of tropical lowland rain forests have a high degree of resistance and a conservative ecological strategy, which is significantly related to canopy openness, soil water content, and soil nutrients.