Rainforest Structure is Shaped by a Constant Battle for Sunlight

In rainforests, the forest structure is shaped by a constant battle. Scientists have found that despite their diversity, the structure of rainforests is highly predictable for a reason.

In this latest study, the researchers used data from a rainforest in Panama. The scientists analyzed decades of tree census data from a 50-hectare plot. From looking at the data, the researchers found the mechanism most important in driving the size structure in tropical rainforest.

More specifically, the scientists found that rainforest structure stems from what happens after a tall tree falls and creates a gap in the canopy. The gap enables sunlight to reach the forest floor and fuel the rapid growth of small trees. Over time, the trees' crowns grow to fill the gap until the point where not all of the trees can fit in the sunlit patch. Some will be left behind in the shade of their competitors.

"This process of moving from fast growth in the sun to slow growth in the shade sets up this characteristic size structure that is common across tropical rainforests, despite the differences in their environments," said Caroline Farrior, first author of the new study, in a news release. "With this new understanding of tropical forests, we can go on to build better models, we can make more accurate estimates of the carbon storage that's currently in tropical forests, and we can go on to more accurately predict the pace of climate change in the future."

The findings are published in the journal Science.

Related Articles

How Climate Change Will Impact the Amazon Rainforest in the Future

Rainforest Trees May Die of Thirst as Climate Change Causes Drought

For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).