Differential responses to guano fertilization among tropical tree species with varying functional traits.

摘要:  Premise of the study : Seabirds often cause signifi cant changes to soil properties, and seabird-dominated systems host unique plant communities. This experimentally (1) examined species-specifi c responses seabird guano gradients, (2) considered role that differential functional traits among species play in altering response guano, (3) investigated implications on range-expanding species. Methods Using a greenhouse fertilization experiment, we how affects growth four tree dominant Pacifi Islands: Cocos nucifera, Pisonia grandis, Scaevola sericea, Tournefortia argentea . In these systems, seabirds are frequently found association with three species; remaining species, C. nucifera , is recently proliferating commonly region but rarely associated seabirds. Key results We determined addition differed cantly between ways were consistent predictions based differing Notably, demonstrated showed no additions, whereas all seabird-associated plants strong responses. Conclusions These provide experimental evidence suggesting differences may contribute communities areas, garnering performance advantages high-nutrient environments. Among also suggest have competitive advantage low-nutrient environments, providing an unusual example can profi t from