How traits mediate tree interactions with neighbours, enemies and mutualists: explaining coexistence mechanisms in tropical and temperate forests

Principle investigator: David Janík (The Silva Tarouca Research Institute for Landscape and Ornamental Gardening)
Co-investigator from the department: Pavel Fibich
Funding provider: the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic
Grant No.: 23-06745S
Duration: 2023- 2025

Explaining mechanisms of coexistence in species-rich and structurally diverse forests is still a
great challenge in ecology. Niche-based processes, reflecting differences in functional traits of
neighbouring trees, provide a viable explanation of forest dynamics. This project aims to
investigate how functional traits contribute to community dynamics in temperate and tropical
forests by mediating tree interactions with neighbours, enemies, and mutualists across different
environmental contexts and spatio-temporal scales. Using several observational and
experimental approaches associated with large tropical and temperate forest plots, we plan to
explore the effects of 1) similarity of functional traits on the coexistence with neighbouring trees,
2) adult trees, natural enemies and mycorrhizal fungi on seedling performance and traits, and 3)
species- and individual-level functional traits during the regeneration phase. This will
substantially advance our understanding of the effects of tree’s functional traits for the
coexistence of tropical and temperate tree species