Community and Structural Constraints on the Complexity of Eastern North American Forests
Gough CM, Atkins JW, Fahey RT, Hardiman BS, LaRue EA. 2020. Community and Structural Constraints on the Complexity of Eastern North American Forests. Global Ecology and Biogeography. 29(12):2107-2118
ABSTRACT: Main conclusions: We conclude that maximum canopy height is a substantially stronger predictor of complexity than diversity or LAI within and across forests of eastern North America, suggesting that canopy volume places a primary constraint on the development of structural complexity. Management and land-use practices that encourage and sustain tall temperate forest canopies may support greater complexity and associated increases in ecosystem functioning.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Gough, Christopher; Atkins, Jeff; Fahey, Robert; Hardiman, Brady; LaRue, Elizabeth
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- canopy height, canopy structural complexity, diversity, GRSM-01202, GRSM-01270, leaf area index, LiDAR, National Ecological Observatory Network, NEON, phylogenetic diversity, richness, rugosity