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Neutral theory (communication arising)

The stability of forest biodiversity

Nature volume 427, pages 696–697 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

The neutral model says that the relative abundance of a species is as likely to increase as it is to decrease, because species are ecologically identical1. This hypothesis can be rejected if variance does not increase over time2. We used a more powerful test, based on comparisons among locations, to show that variability stabilizes and, for most species, decreases over thousands of years3. The neutral model also predicts that after a perturbation, relative abundance is as likely to increase as it is to decrease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center on Global Change, Biology, and Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, 27708, North Carolina, USA

    James S. Clark & Jason S. McLachlan

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  1. James S. Clark
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  2. Jason S. McLachlan
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Correspondence to James S. Clark.

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Clark, J., McLachlan, J. The stability of forest biodiversity. Nature 427, 696–697 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/427696b

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