Diversity in tropical rain forests and coral reefs.

@article{Connell1978DiversityIT,
  title={Diversity in tropical rain forests and coral reefs.},
  author={Joseph H. Connell},
  journal={Science},
  year={1978},
  volume={199 4335},
  pages={
          1302-10
        }
}
  • J. Connell
  • Published 24 March 1978
  • Environmental Science, Economics
  • Science
The commonly observed high diversity of trees in tropical rain forests and corals on tropical reefs is a nonequilibrium state which, if not disturbed further, will progress toward a low-diversity equilibrium community. This may not happen if gradual changes in climate favor different species. If equilibrium is reached, a lesser degree of diversity may be sustained by niche diversification or by a compensatory mortality that favors inferior competitors. However, tropical forests and reefs are… 
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