Spatial scale resolves the niche versus neutral theory debate

• Published in: Journal of vegetation science Vol. 25; no. 2; pp. 319 - 322
• Main Author: Chase, Jonathan M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.03.2014
• Subjects: COMMENTARY; Community structure; Ecological niches; ecology; Forest ecology; forests; Habitats; islands; Panama; Plant ecology; Species; Stochastic processes; Synecology; Trees; Vegetation; Panama

The 50-ha long-term forest plot on Barro Colorado Island in Panama was 'ground zero' for the development of ecology's 'neutral theory' and comparisons with its 'niche theory' counterpart. In this issue, Garzon-Lopez and colleagues used tree distributions at this si...