Do published tolerance ratings and dispersal factors predict species distributions in bottomland hardwoods

摘要: Abstract Species flood and shade tolerances are commonly used to explain regeneration distribution of canopy trees in bottomland hardwood forests. Restoration planning management decisions for these highly threatened forests often match species site conditions based on published tolerance ratings. We identified ‘regeneration strategies’ by combining shade-tolerance ratings with plant colonization traits, specifically seed size dispersal mode, asked if they predict field patterns floodplain species. From the literature, we four groups theoretically similar strategies. then empirical evidence from three datasets test whether a priori were useful predictors responses gradients openness, flooding, distance forest edge. different levels overlapped substantially; minimum maximum positions along each gradient overlapped, medians alone tests defined strategy groups. Predicted fidelity not always met over flooding or openness distance-to-seed-source field. However, within groups, themselves, suggest that coarse filters, filter establishment following colonization. Thus, strategies suite characters related sorting elevation heterogeneity have implications BLH restoration. More work is needed evaluate full range multiple environmental gradients.