Global patterns of tree species richness in moist forests: energy-diversity theory does not account for variation in species richness
RE Latham, RE Ricklefs - Oikos, 1993 - JSTOR
Energy-diversity theory has gained currency as an explanation for global patterns of species
richness. We examine the suggestion of Currie and Paquin (1987; Nature 329: 326-327) that
variation in evapotranspiration-a function of moisture availability and temperature that is
directly related to plant production-predicts tree species richness in global comparisons. We
present contrary evidence: the number of tree species on 26 large (17-7401 km 2) areas of
moist temperate forest show continental differences unrelated to geographical patterns in …
richness. We examine the suggestion of Currie and Paquin (1987; Nature 329: 326-327) that
variation in evapotranspiration-a function of moisture availability and temperature that is
directly related to plant production-predicts tree species richness in global comparisons. We
present contrary evidence: the number of tree species on 26 large (17-7401 km 2) areas of
moist temperate forest show continental differences unrelated to geographical patterns in …
