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The stability of forest biodiversity

Author

Listed:
  • Igor Volkov

    (104 Davey Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University)

  • Jayanth R. Banavar

    (104 Davey Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University)

  • Amos Maritan

    (Universita di Padova and INFM 35131 Padova, and Abdus Salam International Center for Theoretical Physics)

  • Stephen P. Hubbell

    (University of Georgia
    Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute)

Abstract

The unified neutral theory of biodiversity and biogeography1 provides a dynamic null hypothesis for the assembly of natural communities. It is also useful for understanding the influence of speciation, extinction, dispersal and ecological drift on patterns of relative species abundance, species–area relationships and phylogeny. Clark and McLachlan2 argue that neutral drift is inconsistent with the palaeorecord of stability in fossil pollen assemblages of the Holocene forests of southern Canada. We show here that their analysis is based on a partial misunderstanding of neutral theory and that their data alone cannot unambiguously test its validity.

Suggested Citation

  • Igor Volkov & Jayanth R. Banavar & Amos Maritan & Stephen P. Hubbell, 2004. "The stability of forest biodiversity," Nature, Nature, vol. 427(6976), pages 696-696, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:427:y:2004:i:6976:d:10.1038_427696a
    DOI: 10.1038/427696a
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    Cited by:

    1. Yang, Yinghui & Bao, Liping, 2022. "Scale-dependent changes in species richness caused by invader competition," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 469(C).
    2. Tancredi Caruso & Jeff R Powell & Matthias C Rillig, 2012. "Compositional Divergence and Convergence in Local Communities and Spatially Structured Landscapes," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(4), pages 1-10, April.

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