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Altitudinal filtering of large-tree species explains above-ground biomass variation in an Atlantic Central African rain forest
Abstract : Patterns in above-ground biomass of tropical forests over short altitudinal gradients are poorly known. The
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. We used a dataset from 15
1-ha permanent plots established from lowland (200 m asl) to submontane forests (900 m asl) in the Ngovayang
Massif, south-western Cameroon. We analysed variation over altitude in two specific functional traits, the potential
maximum tree height and the wood density. Forest above-ground biomass decreased from 500–600 Mg ha−1 in
lowland plots to around 260 Mg ha−1 at the highest altitudes. The contribution to above-ground biomass of large-tree
species (dbh ≥ 70 cm) decreased with altitude, while the contribution of smaller trees was constant. Contribution
of the Fabaceae subfamily Caesalpinioideae decreased with altitude, while those of Clusiaceae, Phyllanthaceae and
Burseraceae increased.While potential maximum tree height significantly decreased, wood specific gravity displayed
notrend along the gradient. Finally, the decrease in above-ground biomass along the short altitudinal gradient can be at
least partially explainedbyashift in species composition,withlarge-tree species beingfiltered outat the highestaltitudes.
These results suggest that global change could lead to significant shifts in the properties of montane forests over time.
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01557563
Contributor : Saravanan Govindaraj Connect in order to contact the contributor
Submitted on : Thursday, July 6, 2017 - 1:16:45 PM
Last modification on : Wednesday, November 17, 2021 - 12:32:05 PM
Contributor : Saravanan Govindaraj Connect in order to contact the contributor
Submitted on : Thursday, July 6, 2017 - 1:16:45 PM
Last modification on : Wednesday, November 17, 2021 - 12:32:05 PM