Herbivores and the number of tree species in tropical forests
DH Janzen - The American Naturalist, 1970 - journals.uchicago.edu
A high number of tree species, low density of adults of each species, and long distances
between conspecific adults are characteristic of many low-land tropical forest habitats. I
propose that these three traits, in large part, are the result of the action of predators on seeds
and seedlings. A model is presented that allows detailed examination of the effect of
different predators, dispersal agents, seed-crop sizes, etc. on these three traits. In short, any
event that increases the efficiency of the predators at eating seeds and seedlings of a given …
between conspecific adults are characteristic of many low-land tropical forest habitats. I
propose that these three traits, in large part, are the result of the action of predators on seeds
and seedlings. A model is presented that allows detailed examination of the effect of
different predators, dispersal agents, seed-crop sizes, etc. on these three traits. In short, any
event that increases the efficiency of the predators at eating seeds and seedlings of a given …
