Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1893/32681
Appears in Collections:Biological and Environmental Sciences Journal Articles
Peer Review Status: Refereed
Title: Negative density dependence in the mortality and growth of tropical tree seedlings is strong, and primarily caused by fungal pathogens
Author(s): Hazelwood, Kirstie
Beck, Harald
Paine, C E Timothy
Contact Email: hazelwoodkj@googlemail.com
Keywords: competition
density dependence
predation
regeneration
seedling recruitment
trophic interactions
tropical rain forests
Issue Date: Apr-2021
Date Deposited: 10-Jun-2021
Citation: Hazelwood K, Beck H & Paine CET (2021) Negative density dependence in the mortality and growth of tropical tree seedlings is strong, and primarily caused by fungal pathogens. Journal of Ecology, 109 (4), pp. 1909-1918. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.13615
Abstract: 1. Natural enemies have been implicated as agents of negative density dependence (NDD) in tropical forests, but their relative contributions to NDD, and thus to the maintenance of diversity, are largely unknown. 2. We monitored the rates of survival and relative growth rates on seedlings for 10 years in tropical moist forest in Manu National Park, Peru. We then experimentally manipulated the plots to exclude fungal pathogens, insects, small mammals and large mammals for an additional 31 months to assess the influence of these natural enemies on density‐dependent interactions among tropical seedlings. 3. Fungal pathogens made the most important contribution to NDD. The application of fungicide led to lower mortality rates, faster growth rates and decreased species diversity. Other taxa of natural enemies had at most minor effects on seedling performance. 4. Synthesis. We conclude that fungal pathogens are the strongest contributors to the widely observed NDD that occurs among seedlings. Moreover, the presence of fungal pathogens augments the species diversity of seedlings, indicating their critical contribution to the maintenance of species coexistence and the structure of tropical tree communities.
DOI Link: 10.1111/1365-2745.13615
Rights: This item has been embargoed for a period. During the embargo please use the Request a Copy feature at the foot of the Repository record to request a copy directly from the author. You can only request a copy if you wish to use this work for your own research or private study. This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Hazelwood, K, Beck, H, Paine, CET. Negative density dependence in the mortality and growth of tropical tree seedlings is strong, and primarily caused by fungal pathogens. Journal of Ecology 2021; 109: 1909, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.13615. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.
Licence URL(s): https://storre.stir.ac.uk/STORREEndUserLicence.pdf

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