Functional traits related to competition for light influence tree diameter increments in a biodiversity manipulation experiment

Understanding how functional traits and diversity modulate plant interactions within forests is becoming a widespread research goal in ecology. We applied neighbourhood analysis to Mediterranean biodiversity manipulation experiment (IDENT-Macomer) assess the importance of predicting tree diameter increments (DI) mixed forest. used weigh competition index (NCI) dispersion (FDis), which metric. found that affect competitive performance across species forest resource acquisition based primarily on trait hierarchy. also related for light, such as maximum height (Hmax), are best predictors DI. Our results reveal NCI more reliable predictor than FDis, but combination both effects helps better explain differences Finally, our findings show gathering data practise should be prioritised management due predictive FDis experiments with high density diversity.