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February 16, 2026Journal of Vegetation ScienceOpen Access

Topography and Canopy Structure Interactively Shape Understory Functional Diversity

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Authors

JEJoshua ErkelenzMasaryk UniversityZLZdenka LososovaAJAakriti JoshiUniversity of Göttingen

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Implication

Field sampling reveals functional diversity declines with slope aspect in forests, highlighting canopy structure's role.

Key Points

  • This research explores how topography and canopy structure affect understory functional diversity (FD) in mountainous forests.
  • Conducted transect-based field sampling in the central Apennines, Italy.
  • Analyzed data from species distribution, abundance, and plant functional traits.
  • Used regression analysis to evaluate the roles of slope aspect and canopy structure.”],
  • Functional diversity generally decreased along south-facing slopes.
  • No clear pattern emerged for north-facing slopes, indicating different filtering effects.
  • Multi-trait functional diversity is influenced by canopy structure changes, particularly with Fagus sylvatica presence.

Cite This Study

Erkelenz et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69926575eb1f82dc367a14ffhttps://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70118
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