The ecological biogeography of Amazonia

Ana C M Malhado,Atanásio Neto,Robert Whittaker,Hans Ter Steege,Richard Ladle,Yadvinder Malhi

doi:10.21425/f5fbg13314

Abstract

The Amazon drainage basin (Amazonia) contains the largest continuous area of tropical rain- forest in the world and is the most species-rich terrestrial ecosystem on Earth. In biogeographical terms, the Amazon rainforest is still somewhat of a mystery, beset by data shortfalls in many taxonomic groups, lacking systematic surveys and faced with the challenge of collecting and collating data over a vast area. Nevertheless, considerable progress has been made over the last 20 years, leading to new insights from diverse fields of study. One of the most exciting developments has been the creation of large international research networks which are collating and synthesizing infor mation from widely scat- tered permanent botanical plots. Data from these networks and other studies are providing valuable new insights on contemporary biodiversity patterns and processes in Amazonia. Here we review the ma- jor findings of these networks and discuss the factors that correlate with and may explain the spatial distribution of Amazonian tree specie s and the factors that may underpin the emergent patterns of functional traits and diversity across the Amazon Basin. Keywords. Amazonian flora, origins, paleoecology, Amazon, contemporary diversity

Highlights

Biogeography is a broad and complex discipline with many facets, traditions, and schools of thought
Recent years have seen major advances in our knowledge of the biogeography of Amazonia, with new insights coming from fields such as geology, palaeontol‐ ogy, phylogeography (e.g., Fernandes et al 2012), paleoecology, and from the data synthesized from networks of permanent botanical plots such as Amazon Forest Inventory Network (RAINFOR; Pea‐ cock et al 2007) and the Amazon Tree Diversity Network (ATDN; ter Steege et al 2003, 2006, Stropp et al 2009)
In this review we focus on the factors responsible for contemporary biodiversity patterns and processes in Amazonia

Summary

Introduction

Biogeography is a broad and complex discipline with many facets, traditions, and schools of thought. Recent years have seen major advances in our knowledge of the biogeography of Amazonia, with new insights coming from fields such as (but not limited to) geology, palaeontol‐ ogy, phylogeography (e.g., Fernandes et al 2012), paleoecology (reviewed by Colinvaux 2007, Hoorn et al 2010), and from the data synthesized from networks of permanent botanical plots such as Amazon Forest Inventory Network (RAINFOR; Pea‐ cock et al 2007) and the Amazon Tree Diversity Network (ATDN; ter Steege et al 2003, 2006, Stropp et al 2009).

Results

Conclusion