Dissertation Research: Role of Herbivores in Maintaining Tropical Tree Diversity: A Test of the Janzen-Connell Model

小行星9321293 对热带森林树木多样性的一个广泛接受的解释是，在同种亲本附近的种子和幼苗死亡率很高。 然而，这种影响的机制很少得到研究：植物的敌人积累在同种成年树木附近？ 该项目研究了攻击种子和幼苗的食草动物来自哪里，距离成年树木的距离如何影响食草动物和病原体感染率，以及食草动物是否促进病原体感染。 这项研究将提供重要的数据，草食动物和病原体在维持热带森林树木多样性的作用。 研究结果对热带林业、森林经营和热带森林保护具有一定的参考价值。 ***

9321293 COLEY A widely accepted explanation for the diversity of tropical forest trees is that there is high mortality of seeds and seedlings near conspecific parents. However, the mechanisms of this effect have received little study: do plant enemies accumulate in the vicinity of conspecific adult trees? This project examines where the herbivores attacking seeds and seedlings come from, how distance from adult trees affects rates of herbivory and pathogen infection, and whether herbivory facilitates pathogen infection. %%% This study will provide important data on the role of herbivores and pathogens in maintaining tropical forest tree diversity. The results will be of value to tropical forestry, forest management, and tropical forest conservation. ***