Unveiling the Key Species of Tropical Forests

A study analyzing tree species abundance in tropical forests across Africa, Amazonia, and Southeast Asia found consistent patterns of commonness, with a small number of species comprising the majority of trees in each region. The study estimates that just over 100 species account for 50% of the trees in each region, and extrapolates these findings to suggest that approximately 1,100 tree species may dominate tropical forests worldwide. The results highlight the importance of focusing research efforts on understanding the biology of these common tree species to gain insights into tropical forest ecology and their response to environmental change.