@article{fdi:010069468,
  title = {{A}ltitudinal filtering of large-tree species explains above-ground biomass variation in an {A}tlantic {C}entral {A}frican rain forest},
  author = {{G}onmadje, {C}. and {P}icard, {N}. and {G}ourlet-{F}leury, {S}. and {R}{\'e}jou-{M}{\'e}chain, {M}axime and {F}reycon, {V}. and {S}underland, {T}. and {M}c{K}ey, {D}. and {D}oumenge, {C}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{P}atterns in above-ground biomass of tropical forests over short altitudinal gradients are poorly known. {T}he aim of this study was to investigate the variation of above-ground biomass with altitude in old-growth forests and determine the importance of changes in floristic composition as a cause of this variation. {W}e used a dataset from 15 1-ha permanent plots established from lowland (200 m asl) to submontane forests (900 m asl) in the {N}govayang {M}assif, south-western {C}ameroon. {W}e analysed variation over altitude in two specific functional traits, the potential maximum tree height and the wood density. {F}orest above-ground biomass decreased from 500-600 {M}g ha(-1) in lowland plots to around 260 {M}g ha(-1) at the highest altitudes. {T}he contribution to above-ground biomass of large-tree species (dbh >= 70 cm) decreased with altitude, while the contribution of smaller trees was constant. {C}ontribution of the {F}abaceae subfamily {C}aesalpinioideae decreased with altitude, while those of {C}lusiaceae, {P}hyllanthaceae and {B}urseraceae increased. {W}hile potential maximum tree height significantly decreased, wood specific gravity displayed no trend along the gradient. {F}inally, the decrease in above-ground biomass along the short altitudinal gradient can be at least partially explained by a shift in species composition, with large-tree species being filtered out at the highest altitudes. {T}hese results suggest that global change could lead to significant shifts in the properties of montane forests over time.},
  keywords = {altitudinal gradient ; {C}ameroon ; carbon stocks ; {N}govayang {M}assif ; niche ; filtering ; submontane forests ; {CAMEROUN}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {T}ropical {E}cology},
  volume = {33},
  numero = {2},
  pages = {143--154},
  ISSN = {0266-4674},
  year = {2017},
  DOI = {10.1017/s0266467416000602},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010069468},
}