University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Tree community assembly and biogeochemical processes along an elevational gradient in western Panama

Prada Cordero, Cecilia M.

Content Files
PRADACORDERO-DISSERTATION-2021.pdf

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/112960

Description

Title
Tree community assembly and biogeochemical processes along an elevational gradient in western Panama
Author(s)
Prada Cordero, Cecilia M.
Issue Date
2021-06-14
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Dalling, James W
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Yang, Wendy
Committee Member(s)
  • Yannarell, Anthony
  • Fraterrigo, Jennifer
Department of Study
Plant Biology
Discipline
Plant Biology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Date of Ingest
2022-01-12T21:45:16Z
Keyword(s)
  • biogeochemical processes
  • elevational gradient
  • mycorrhizal associations
  • nutrient limitation
  • tropical montane forests
  • Volcan Baru National Park
Abstract
Tropical montane forests (TMF) are unique ecosystems with remarkable contributions to global diversity and C cycle regulation. Understanding factors responsible of TMF dynamics are critical to predicting their plant community response to global change. Elevational and environmental gradients are key elements in our understanding of the effect of climate, edaphic and biotic interactions in plant community assembly and biogeochemical processes. Changes in environmental and biotic conditions are expected to influence tree diversity, floristic composition, nutrient and C cycling. My dissertation evaluates how edaphic factors, climate, and mycorrhizal associations drive tree community assembly, C storage, and biogeochemical processes along environmental gradients. Using a set of twelve plots in a premontane forest established along a natural fertility gradient, I was able to determine that soil fertility, geology, and annual rainfall account for tree species compositional variation in these forests. In a set of nine plots along an elevational gradient, within which forest patches are dominated by either ectomycorrhizal (EM) or arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) trees, I show that variation in tree species composition is in part explained by the tree species’ mycorrhizal associations, even when controlling for elevation. I further evaluate how climate, edaphic factors and mycorrhizal associations influence biomass and soil C stocks. I report an exceptionally high C stock attributed to the presence of Quercus species at upper elevations and to recent geological history. Finally, I found Quercus-dominated forests are depleted in available N compared to mixed forests, resulting in low N foliar concentrations and low seedling growth rates. This dissertation highlights the importance of incorporating both abiotic and biotic interactions in our understanding of the effects of climate change on forest dynamics. Specifically, I emphasize the role of oak forests on species composition, C stocks and nutrient availability.
Graduation Semester
2021-08
Type of Resource
Thesis
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/112960
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2021 Cecilia Prada Cordero

Owning Collections

Graduate Dissertations and Theses at Illinois PRIMARY
Graduate Theses and Dissertations at Illinois
Dissertations and Theses - Plant Biology