July 2018 cover
In Latin America, many regrowing forests are dominated by legume trees. The ability to fix nitrogen through symbiosis is a crucial element of their success. But Leguminosae species that also form a small bipinnate leaves (shown here in Guanacaste, Costa Rica) hold a double advantage in hot, dry and highly seasonal environments across the Neotropics.
Published
From 'Legume abundance along successional and rainfall gradients in Neotropical forests'. Gei et al. Nature Ecology & Evolution 2; 1104-1111.
