Publications [#299441] of Julie P. Tuttle

Chapters in Books

1. PA Wilfahrt, PS White, BS Collins and JP Tuttle. "Disturbance, Productivity, and Tree Characteristics in the Central Hardwoods Region." Natural Disturbances and Historic Range of Variation: Type, Frequency, Severity, and Post-Disturbance Structure in Central Hardwood Forests USA. Edited by CH Greenberg and BS Collins. Springer vol. 32 2016: 295-318. [doi]
   (last updated on 2016/06/19)

   Abstract:
   Community theory proposes that the taxonomic diversity and character- istics, or traits, of the trees found within a particular forest community is a function of both the productivity and disturbance history of that community. The theory also predicts that niche differentiation to the conditions caused by disturbance is strongest on productive sites and decreases along productivity gradients. Therefore, both taxonomic and trait diversity should be highest on productive sites at scales that encompass a range of disturbance histories, and lowest on poor quality sites where environmental conditions are strong ‘filters’ for plant traits. Using a large data set from the USDA Forest Service, we examine patterns of taxonomic and tree trait diversity with respect to recent disturbance events and productivity across the Central Hardwood Region. Our analyses reveal strong regional trends in diversity, less pronounced trends along the productivity gradient, and little effect of disturbance on tree diversity and characteristics.