LAUSR

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.