The interspecific growth–mortality trade-off is not a general framework for tropical forest community structure

Authors

• Sabrina E. Russo, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Sean M. McMahon, Smithsonian Institute, Washington DCFollow
• Matteo Detto, Smithsonian Institute, Washington DCFollow
• Glenn Ledder, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
• S. Joseph Wright, Smithsonian Institute, Washington DCFollow
• Richard S. Condit, Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL
• Stuart J. Davies, Smithsonian Institute, Washington DCFollow
• Peter S. Ashton, Harvard University
• Sarayudh Bunyavejchewin, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Bangkok, ThailandFollow
• Chia-Hao Chang-Yang, National Sun Yat-sen UniversityFollow
• Sisira Ediriweera, Uva Wellassa University, Badulla, Sri LankaFollow
• Corneille E.N. Ewango, University of Kisangani, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
• Christine Fletcher, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
• Robin B. Foster, The Field Museum, Chicago, IL
• C.V. Savi Gunatilleke, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
• I.A.U. Nimal Gunatilleke, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
• Terese Hart, Lukuru Wildlife Research Foundation, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Chang-Fu Hseih, National Taiwan University, TaipeiFollow
• Stephen P. Hubbell, University of California, Los AngelesFollow
• Akira Itoh, Osaka City University, Osaka, JapanFollow
• Abdul Rahman Kassim, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
• Yao Tze Leong, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Selangor, MalaysiaFollow
• Yi Ching Lin, Tunghai University, Taichung, TaiwanFollow
• Jean-Remy Makana, University of Kisangani, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of CongoFollow
• Mohizah Bt. Mohamad, Forest Department Sarawak, Bangunan Wisma Sumber Alam, Kuching, Malaysia
• Perry Ong, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City
• Anna Sugiyama, University of Hawai‘i at MānoaFollow
• I-Fang Sun, National Dong Hwa University, Hualian, TaiwanFollow
• Sylvester Tan, Lambir Hills National Park, Miri, Malaysia
• Jill Thompson, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Bush Estate, Penicuik, UKFollow
• Takuo Yamakura, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
• Sandra L. Yap, Far Eastern University, Manila, PhilippinesFollow
• Jess K. Zimmerman, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, PRFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2021

Citation

Russo, S.E., McMahon, S.M., Detto, M. et al. The interspecific growth–mortality trade-off is not a general framework for tropical forest community structure. Nat Ecol Evol 5, 174–183 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01340-9

Comments

Copyright © 2020 Sabrina E. Russo et al. Published by Springer Nature Limited. Used by permission.

Abstract

Resource allocation within trees is a zero-sum game. Unavoidable trade-offs dictate that allocation to growth-promoting functions curtails other functions, generating a gradient of investment in growth versus survival along which tree species align, known as the interspecific growth–mortality trade-off. This paradigm is widely accepted but not well established. Using demographic data for 1,111 tree species across ten tropical forests, we tested the generality of the growth–mortality trade-off and evaluated its underlying drivers using two species-specific parameters describing resource allocation strategies: tolerance of resource limitation and responsiveness of allocation to resource access. Globally, a canonical growth–mortality trade-off emerged, but the trade-off was strongly observed only in less disturbance-prone forests, which contained diverse resource allocation strategies. Only half of disturbance-prone forests, which lacked tolerant species, exhibited the trade-off. Supported by a theoretical model, our findings raise questions about whether the growth–mortality trade-off is a universally applicable organizing framework for understanding tropical forest community structure.