The relationship between maturation size and maximum tree size from tropical to boreal climates

Ecology Letters
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Abstract

The fundamental trade-off between current and future reproduction has long been considered to result in a tendency for species that can grow large to begin reproduction at a proportionately larger size. Due to the prolonged time required to reach maturity, estimates of tree maturation size remain unavailable and we lack a global view on the generality and the shape of this trade-off. Using seed production from five continents, we estimate tree maturation sizes for 486 tree pecies spanning tropical to boreal climates. Results show that a species’ maturation size increases with maximum size, but in a non-proportional way: the largest species begin reproduction at smaller sizes than would be expected if maturation size were simply proportional to maximum size. Furthermore, the decrease in relative maturation size is steepest in cold climates. These findings on maturation size drivers are key to accurately represent forests’ responses to disturbance and climate change.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title The relationship between maturation size and maximum tree size from tropical to boreal climates
Series title Ecology Letters
DOI 10.1111/ele.14500
Volume 27
Publication Date October 02, 2024
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) Western Ecological Research Center
Description e14500, 13 p.
First page e14500
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