T. grandis.
The dataset used in the analyses was collected from 30 inventory plots
of 0.18 ha (Houeto et al., 2014; Salako et al., 2013), and consisted of
floristic information (tree species names, density, and diameter at
breast height – dbh and tree height) and functional trait data (maximum
plant height and specific wood density). In each plot, all individual of
dbh ≥ 5 cm were measured for their dbh and tree height, and identified
at species level. The number of primary branches at crown base level was
also recorded for each individual to account for variability in the
crown structure. Data on functional traits important to plant growth
(maximum plant height and specific wood density) were obtained from
field inventory and publicly available sources. The data on maximum
plant height was obtained from the inventory data, while that of species
wood density was obtained from the Global Wood Density Database (Zanne
et al., 2009). We used wood density and plant maximum height because
they are known to relate with light capture, stem growth and plant
investment in biomass. For instance, plant maximum height enhance light
capture and facilitate higher growth, while wood density indicates
whether a tree species favors a fast growth whereby conductive tissues
are rapidly built in lower wood density species (Falster et al., 2018;
Prado-Junior et al., 2016).