Co-limitation towards lower latitudes shapes global forest diversity gradients

The latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG) is one of the most recognized global patterns of species richness exhibited across a wide range of taxa. Numerous hypotheses have been proposed in the past two centuries to explain LDG, but rigorous tests of the drivers of LDGs have been limited by a lack of high-quality global species richness data. Here we produce a high-resolution (0.025 degrees x 0.025 degrees) map of local tree species richness using a global forest inventory database with individual tree information and local biophysical characteristics from similar to 1.3 million sample plots. We then quantify drivers of local tree species richness patterns across latitudes. Generally, annual mean temperature was a dominant predictor of tree species richness, which is most consistent with the metabolic theory of biodiversity (MTB). However, MTB underestimated LDG in the tropics, where high species richness was also moderated by topographic, soil and anthropogenic factors operating at local scales. Given that local landscape variables operate synergistically with bioclimatic factors in shaping the global LDG pattern, we suggest that MTB be extended to account for co-limitation by subordinate drivers.

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Liang Jingjing, Gamarra Javier G. P., Picard Nicolas, Zhou Mo, Pijanowski Bryan, Jacobs Douglass F., Reich Peter B., Crowther Thomas W., Nabuurs Gert-Jan, De-Miguel Sergio, Fang Jingyun, Woodall Christopher W., Svenning Jens-Christian, Jucker Tommaso, Bastin Jean-Francois, Wiser Susan K., Slik Ferry, Herault Bruno, Alberti Giorgio, Keppel Gunnar, Hengeveld Geerten M., Ibisch Pierre L., Silva Carlos A., Ter Steege Hans, Peri Pablo L., Coomes David A., Searle Eric B., von gadow Klaus, Jaroszewicz Bogdan, Abbasi Akane O., Abegg Meinrad, Yao Yves C. Adou, Aguirre-Gutierrez Jesus, Zambrano Angelica M. Almeyda, Altman Jan, Alvarez-Davila Esteban, Alvarez-Gonzalez Juan Gabriel, Alves Luciana F., Amani Bienvenu H. K., Amani Christian A., Ammer Christian, Ilondea Bhely Angoboy, Anton-Fernandez Clara, Avitabile Valerio, Aymard Gerardo A., Azihou Akomian F., Baard Johan A., Baker Timothy R., Balazy Radomir, Bastian Meredith L., Batumike Rodrigue, Bauters Marijn, Beeckman Hans, Benu Nithanel Mikael Hendrik, Bitariho Robert, Boeckx Pascal, Bogaert Jan, Bongers Frans, Bouriaud Olivier, Brancalion Pedro H. S., Brandl Susanne, Brearley Francis Q., Briseno-Reyes Jaime, Broadbent Eben N., Bruelheide Helge, Bulte Erwin, Catlin Ann Christine, Gatti Roberto Cazzolla, Cesar Ricardo G., Chen Han Y. H., Chisholm Chelsea, Cienciala Emil, Colletta Gabriel D., Corral-Rivas Jose Javier, Cuchietti Anibal, Cuni-Sanchez Aida, Dar Javid A., Dayanandan Selvadurai, de Haulleville Thales, Decuyper Mathieu, Delabye Sylvain, Derroire Geraldine, Devries Ben, Diisi John, Van do Tran, Dolezal Jiri, Dourdain Aurelie, Durrheim Graham P., Obiang Nestor Laurier Engone, Ewango Corneille E. N., Eyre Teresa J., Fayle Tom M., Feunang Lethicia Flavine N., Finer Leena, Fischer Markus, Fridman Jonas, Frizzera Lorenzo, de Gasper Andre L., Gianelle Damiano, Glick Henry B., Gonzalez-Elizondo Maria Socorro, Gorenstein Lev, Habonayo Richard, Hardy Olivier J., Harris David J., Hector Andrew, Hemp Andreas, Herold Martin, Hillers Annika, Hubau Wannes, Ibanez Thomas, Imai Nobuo, Imani Gerard, Jagodzinski Andrzej M., Janecek Stepan, Johannsen Vivian Kvist, Joly Carlos A., Jumbam Blaise, Kabelong Banoho L. P. R., Kahsay Goytom Abraha, Karminov Viktor, Kartawinata Kuswata, Kassi Justin N., Kearsley Elizabeth, Kennard Deborah K., Kepfer-Rojas Sebastian, Khan Mohammed Latif, Kigomo John N., Kim Hyun Seok, Klauberg Carine, Klomberg Yannick, Korjus Henn, Kothandaraman Subashree, Kraxner Florian, Kumar Amit, Kuswandi Relawan, Lang Mait, Lawes Michael J., Leite Rodrigo, V, Lentner Geoffrey, Lewis Simon L., Libalah Moses B., Lisingo Janvier, Lopez-Serrano Pablito Marcelo, Lu Huicui, Lukina Natalia, V, Lykke Anne Mette, Maicher Vincent, Maitner Brian S., Marcon Eric, Marshall Andrew R., Martin Emanuel H., Martynenko Olga, Mbayu Faustin M., Mbuvi Musingo T. E., Meave Jorge A., Merow Cory, Miscicki Stanislaw, Moreno Vanessa S., Morera Albert, Mukul Sharif A., Muller Jorg C., Murdjoko Agustinus, Nava-Miranda Maria Guadalupe, Ndive Litonga Elias, Neldner Victor J., Nevenic Radovan, V, Nforbelie Louis N., Ngoh Michael L., N'guessan Anny E., Ngugi Michael R., Ngute Alain S. K., Njila Emile Narcisse N., Nyako Melanie C., Ochuodho Thomas O., Oleksyn Jacek, Paquette Alain, Parfenova Elena, I, Park Minjee, Parren Marc, Parthasarathy Narayanaswamy, Pfautsch Sebastian, Phillips Oliver L., Piedade Maria T. F., Piotto Daniel, Pollastrini Martina, Poorter Lourens, Poulsen John R., Poulsen Axel Dalberg, Pretzsch Hans, Rodeghiero Mirco, Rolim Samir G., Rovero Francesco, Rutishauser Ervan, Sagheb-Talebi Khosro, Saikia Purabi, Sainge Moses Nsanyi, Salas-Eljatib Christian, Salis Antonello, Schall Peter, Schepaschenko Dmitry, Scherer-Lorenzen Michael, Schmid Bernhard, Seben Vladimir, Schongart Jochen, Sellan Giacomo, Selvi Federico, Serra-Diaz Josep M., Sheil Douglas, Shvidenko Anatoly Z., Sist Plinio, Souza Alexandre F., Sullivan Martin J. P., Sundarapandian Somaiah, Svoboda Miroslav, Swaine Mike D., Targhetta Natalia, Tchebakova Nadja, Trethowan Liam A., Tropek Robert, Mukendi John Tshibamba, Umunay Peter Mbanda, Usoltsev Vladimir A., Laurin Gaia Vaglio, Valentini Riccardo, Valladares Fernando, van der Plas Fons, Vega-Nieva Daniel Jose, Verbeeck Hans, Viana Helder, Vibrans Alexander C., Vieira Simone A., Vleminckx Jason, Waite Catherine E., Wang Hua-Feng, Wasingya Eric Katembo, Wekesa Chemuku, Westerlund Bertil, Wittmann Florian, Wortel Verginia, Zawila-Niedziwiecki Tomasz, Zhang Chunyu, Zhao Xiuhai, Zhu Jun, Zhu Xiao, Zhu Zhi-Xin, Zo-Bi Irie C., Hui Cang (2022). Co-limitation towards lower latitudes shapes global forest diversity gradients. Nature Ecology & Evolution. 6 (10). 1423-1437. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-022-01831-x, https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00803/91508/

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