Testing the scale-dependence of models of resource competition and environmental conditions for forest structure and dynamics
Technical Report
·
OSTI ID:5825125
The goal of this research remains evaluating and integrating two kinds of explanation of forest community structure and dynamics previously developed at different spatial scales. Gradient models describe species distributions and community composition in term of environmental factors, which can usually be associated with conditions for plant growth. Resource competition models explain community dynamics and resulting composition in terms of acquisition of limiting resources. Developments in resource competition theory (extending explanation to large-scale gradients), and in analysis of small-scale variations in conditions, made it clear that the potential scales of explanation for these two models were not mutually exclusive. We proposed to compare qualitative predictions from both approaches at a set of scales where we have developed detailed data on forest composition and dynamics. An essential part of determining the limits of each approach is to discover areas where the models make different predictions, and evaluate these differences in light of field data. We are developing and plan to test regional gradient predictions of local patterns with a set of intensive study sites representing major forest types on the coastal plain and piedmont of the Southeastern United States. We will also compare the results of empirical models of within- and across-site spatial and temporal distribution, i.e. gradient and stage-projection models, with heuristic results from a resource-competition modeling system. 29 refs., 39 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Rice Univ., Houston, TX (USA). Dept. of Biology
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG05-89ER60879
- OSTI ID:
- 5825125
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ER/60879-2; ON: DE91012940
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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