Negative plant–soil feedback predicts tree-species relative abundance in a tropical forest

Scott A. Mangan (), Stefan A. Schnitzer, Edward A. Herre, Keenan M. L. Mack, Mariana C. Valencia, Evelyn I. Sanchez and James D. Bever
Additional contact information
Scott A. Mangan: University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
Stefan A. Schnitzer: University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
Edward A. Herre: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, MRC 0580-06, Unit 9100 Box 0948, DPO AA 34002-9998, USA
Keenan M. L. Mack: Indiana University
Mariana C. Valencia: University of Illinois–Chicago
Evelyn I. Sanchez: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, MRC 0580-06, Unit 9100 Box 0948, DPO AA 34002-9998, USA
James D. Bever: Indiana University

Nature, 2010, vol. 466, issue 7307, 752-755

Abstract: The roots of plant diversity One potential mechanism for maintaining biodiversity is negative feedback between a species and its specific enemies, allowing rival species to thrive in the vicinity in preference to individuals of the species in question. The effect of soil biota has often been overlooked in the past, with more attention being paid to factors such as above-ground herbivory and resource partitioning. But a series of shade-house and field experiments now shows that in a tropical forest, it is the soil biota that is the main cause of this feedback, and that this effect is sufficient to explain the diversity.

Date: 2010
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DOI: 10.1038/nature09273

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