Menge, DNL, Batterman, SA, Liao, W et al. (3 more authors) (2017) Nitrogen-fixing tree abundance in higher-latitude North America is not constrained by diversity. Ecology Letters, 20 (7). pp. 842-851. ISSN 1461-023X
Abstract
The rarity of nitrogen (N)-fixing trees in frequently N-limited higher-latitude (here, > 35°) forests is a central biogeochemical paradox. One hypothesis for their rarity is that evolutionary constraints limit N-fixing tree diversity, preventing N-fixing species from filling available niches in higher-latitude forests. Here, we test this hypothesis using data from the USA and Mexico. N-fixing trees comprise only a slightly smaller fraction of taxa at higher vs. lower latitudes (8% vs. 11% of genera), despite 11-fold lower abundance (1.2% vs. 12.7% of basal area). Furthermore, N-fixing trees are abundant but belong to few species on tropical islands, suggesting that low absolute diversity does not limit their abundance. Rhizobial taxa dominate N-fixing tree richness at lower latitudes, whereas actinorhizal species do at higher latitudes. Our results suggest that low diversity does not explain N-fixing trees' rarity in higher-latitude forests. Therefore, N limitation in higher-latitude forests likely results from ecological constraints on N fixation.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Authors/Creators: |
|
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2017, Wiley. This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Menge, DNL, Batterman, SA, Liao, W et al. (3 more authors) (2017) Nitrogen-fixing tree abundance in higher-latitude North America is not constrained by diversity. Ecology Letters , which has been published in final form at https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ele.12778. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving. |
Keywords: | actinorhizal; America; diversity; latitude; legume; Mexico; nitrogen; nitrogen fixation; rhizobial; symbiosis |
Dates: |
|
Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Geography (Leeds) > Ecology & Global Change (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 19 May 2017 09:47 |
Last Modified: | 16 May 2018 00:38 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Identification Number: | 10.1111/ele.12778 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:116668 |