Using functional trait diversity patterns to disentangle the scale-dependent ecological processes in a subtropical forest

1. Disentangling ecological processes that influence community assembly and species diversity across spatial scales remains a major goal of community ecology. Community assembly processes influence spatial patterns of species diversity through their interactions with key functional traits. Hence, quantifying spatial patterns of functional trait diversity (FD) represents a useful tool for disentangling the relative importance of abiotic filtering, biotic interactions, random assembly, and dispersal limitation across spatial scales.
2. Here we measured 12 traits of 112 study species in a 20-ha fully-mapped subtropical forest plot. The individuals of the 112 study species account for 99% of all living stems with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 1 cm. We studied important functional traits related to physiological processes of plants including resource acquisition (e.g., CO2 assimilation rate and leaf nutrient concentration) and drought tolerance (e.g., stem hydraulic conductivity and lea...