Global studies show strong climatic control of leaf area index (LAI) and related ecosystem properties. However, alternative states stabilized by positive feedbacks have the potential to produce appreciable differences in LAI in a given environment. On certain sites in New Zealand, ectomycorrhizal (EM) southern beech forest (Nothofagaceae) appear to form a stable alternative to more species‐rich conifer‐broadleaved forest dominated by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) trees. We asked which climate variables best predict LAI of New Zealand's remaining old‐growth forests, and if stands dominated by Nothofagaceae have lower LAI and better‐lit understories than conifer‐broadleaved forests, when climate and other site factors are held constant.

中文翻译：

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新西兰旧林中叶面积指数和林下光照度的决定因素

全球研究表明，对叶面积指数（LAI）和相关的生态系统特性有很强的气候控制能力。但是，通过正反馈稳定的替代状态可能会在给定环境中产生LAI的明显差异。在新西兰的某些地方，外生菌根（EM）的山毛榉林（Nothofagaceae）似乎是由丛枝菌根（AM）树木为主的物种丰富的针叶树阔叶林的稳定替代品。我们询问哪些气候变量最能预测新西兰剩余的老龄森林的LAI，并且在气候和其他立地条件保持不变的情况下，由Nothofagaceae主导的林分是否比针叶阔叶林具有更低的LAI和更好的林下植被。