Functional traits of tree species with phylogenetic signal co-vary with environmental niches in two large forest dynamics plots

Abstract

While using phylogenetic and functional approaches to test the mechanisms of community assembly, functional traits often act as the proxy of niches. However, there is little detailed knowledge regarding the correlation between functional traits of tree species and their niches in local communities. We suggest that the co-varying correlation between functional traits and niches should be the premise for using phylogenetic and functional approaches to test mechanisms of community assembly. using functional traits, phylogenetic and environmental data, this study aims to answer the questions: (i) within local communities, do functional traits of co-occurring species covary with their environmental niches at the species level? and (ii) what is the key ecological process underlying community assembly in Xishuangbanna and ailaoshan forest dynamic plots (FDPs)?