Biodiversity and Ecosystem Processes in Tropical Forests

1 Introduction.- References.- 2 Plant Species Diversity and Ecosystem Functioning in Tropical Forests.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 The Dependence of Ecosystem Processes on Species Diversity.- 2.3 Plant Species Richness in Tropical Forests.- 2.4 The Primary Productivity of Tropical Forests.- 2.5 The Stability of Tropical Forests.- 2.6 Conclusions.- References.- 3 Consumer Diversity and Secondary Production.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Secondary Production and Biodiversity.- 3.3 Evolutionary Effects of Consumers on Ecosystem Properties.- 3.4 Ecological Effects of Consumers on Ecosystem Properties.- 3.5 Conclusion.- References.- 4 Biodiversity and Biogeochemical Cycles.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Species Richness and Biogeochemical Cycling.- 4.3 Functional Diversity and Biogeochemistry.- 4.4 Evidence from Experimental Studies.- 4.5 Conclusions.- References.- 5 Microbial Diversity and Tropical Forest Functioning.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 The Knowledge Base.- 5.3 Food Chains.- 5.4 Pathogens.- 5.5 Microbial Contributions to Global Biogeochemistry.- 5. 6 Nutrient Cycling.- 5.7 Plant Endophytes.- 5.8 Threats to the Microbiota and the Processes They Mediate.- 5.9 Conclusions.- References.- 6 Plant Life-Forms and Tropical Ecosystem Functioning.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Classification.- 6.3 Biogeographical Patterns.- 6.4 Environmental Correlates of Life-Form Diversity.- 6.5 Episodic Impacts on Life-form Diversity.- 6.6 Life-Forms and Succession.- 6. 7 Implications of Loss of Life-Forms.- 6.8 Conclusions.- References.- 7 Functional Group Diversity and Recovery from Disturbance.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Functional Groups Affecting Tropical Forest Dynamics.- 7.3 Functional Groups and Natural Disturbance Processes in Tropical Moist Forests.- 7.4 Anthropogenic Disturbances to Tropical Forests.- 7.5Functional Groups in Tropical Dry Forests.- 7.6 Redundancy within Functional Groups.- 7.7 Conclusions.- References.- 8 Species Richness and Resistance to Invasion.- 8.1 Diversity vs. Stability.- 8.2 Global Patterns.- 8.3 Intentional Introductions.- 8.4 Invasions into Undisturbed Tropical Forests.- 8.5 Speculations.- References.- 9 The Role of Biodiversity in Tropical Managed Ecosystems.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Examples of Tropical Managed Ecosystems.- 9.3 Plant Diversity and Primary Productivity.- 9.4 Plant Diversity and Primary Consumers.- 9.5 Plant Diversity and Secondary Consumers.- 9.6 Conclusions.- References.- 10 Synthesis.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 Environmental Gradients.- 10.3 Biodiversity and Functioning of Tropical Forests.- 10.4 Energy Flow.- 10.5 Materials Processing.- 10.6 Functional Properties over Longer Temporal Scales.- 10.7 Functional Properties Over Larger Spatial Scales.- 10.8 Biodiversity and Responses to Disturbances.- 10.9 Research Agenda.- 10.10 Conclusions.- References.- Species Index.- Topical Index.