Trees have overlapping potential niches that extend beyond their realized niches.
Science
; 385(6704): 75-80, 2024 Jul 05.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38963858
ABSTRACT
Tree species appear to prefer distinct climatic conditions, but the true nature of these preferences is obscured by species interactions and dispersal, which limit species' ranges. We quantified realized and potential thermal niches of 188 North American tree species to conduct a continental-scale test of the architecture of niches. We found strong and consistent evidence that species occurring at thermal extremes occupy less than three-quarters of their potential niches, and species' potential niches overlap at a mean annual temperature of ~12°C. These results clarify the breadth of thermal tolerances of temperate tree species and support the centrifugal organization of thermal niches. Accounting for the nonrealized components of ecological niches will advance theory and prediction in global change ecology.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Trees
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
Language:
En
Journal:
Sci. (N.Y., N.Y.)
/
Science
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States
Country of publication:
United States