@article{fdi:010057335,
  title = {{F}unctional traits and their plasticity predict tropical trees regeneration niche even among species with intermediate light requirements},
  author = {{L}aurans, {M}. and {M}artin, {O}. and {N}icolini, {E}. and {V}incent, {G}r{\'e}goire},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{N}iche differentiation is a key issue in the current debate on community assembly mechanisms. {I}n highly diverse moist tropical forests, tree species sensitivity to canopy openness is thought to be a major axis in niche differentiation. {I}n the past, the syndrome of traits driving the demographic trade-off involved in the niche-based theory of coexistence has always been established among species situated at the two extremities of the shade-tolerance gradient, even though most tropical tree species have intermediate light requirements. {I}n addition, trait plasticity has seldom been linked to tropical tree species distribution along environmental gradients. {T}his article examines covariations between leaf traits, whole-plant traits and niche parameters among 14 tree species with intermediate light requirements in {F}rench {G}uiana and across a range of canopy openness. {E}ach functional trait measured under field conditions was characterized by a median value and a degree of plasticity expressed under contrasting light regimes. {N}iche differentiation was characterized in terms of spatial light gradient. {W}e first examined covariations between functional traits then explored to what degree the median value and plasticity in functional traits could predict light niche characteristics at the sapling stage and the ontogenetic change in light availability estimated by adult stature. {L}eaf mass per area ({LMA}) was positively correlated with leaf life span ({LLS}); species with higher {LMA} and higher {LLS} displayed lower diameter growth rates ({GR}s) and lower responsiveness to canopy gap at both whole-plant and population levels. {T}his proved that the relationships previously established over a broader range of species held true within the narrow range of the light requirements covered. {H}eight {GR} plasticity accounted for 49% of the variation in light niche optimum. {LMA} plasticity, unlike {LLS} plasticity, was significantly correlated with light niche breadth and adult stature. {S}ynthesis. {T}his study demonstrates the relevance of considering the phenotypic plasticity in functional traits in community ecology, particularly for quantifying breadth of species distribution over environmental gradients. {O}ur findings did not support {H}ubbell's hypothesis of functional equivalence and suggest that even a rather subtle variation in forest canopy disturbance promotes the coexistence of tropical tree species.},
  keywords = {canopy disturbance ; determinants of plant community diversity and structure ; growth rate ; irradiance ; leaf life span ; leaf mass per area ; niche differentiation ; phenotypic plasticity ; shade tolerance ; tropical ; moist forest},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {E}cology},
  volume = {100},
  numero = {6},
  pages = {1440--1452},
  ISSN = {0022-0477},
  year = {2012},
  DOI = {10.1111/j.1365-2745.2012.02007.x},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010057335},
}