Drought sensitivity shapes species distribution patterns in tropical forests

Bettina M. J. Engelbrecht (), Liza S. Comita, Richard Condit, Thomas A. Kursar, Melvin T. Tyree, Benjamin L. Turner and Stephen P. Hubbell
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Bettina M. J. Engelbrecht: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancon, Panama
Liza S. Comita: University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
Richard Condit: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancon, Panama
Thomas A. Kursar: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancon, Panama
Melvin T. Tyree: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancon, Panama
Benjamin L. Turner: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancon, Panama
Stephen P. Hubbell: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancon, Panama

Nature, 2007, vol. 447, issue 7140, 80-82

Abstract: Water-limited tropics Tropical forests are among the most diverse plant communities on Earth and provide a variety of ecosystem services. They have therefore received widespread attention from policy makers and conservation organizations. Now a common assumption about them — that humid tropical forests are generally water saturated — is brought into question. An assessment of species distribution patterns across the Isthmus of Panama shows that drought plays a large role in structuring plant communities in these tropical forests. Changes in soil moisture availability due to climate change and habitat fragmentation are therefore likely to hit tropical species dramatically.

Date: 2007
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DOI: 10.1038/nature05747

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