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Progress in Physical Geography
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Why are tropical rain forests so species rich? Classifying, reviewing and evaluating theories

J. L. Hill

School of Geography and Environmental Management, University of the West of England, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK

R. A. Hill

Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Monks Wood, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon PE28 2LS, UK

Two classifications are presented that organize the major processes and theories addressing the high species diversity of tropical rain forests. The first typology organizes environmental and biological processes within a spatio-temporal hierarchy, whilst the second classifies 12 theories according to over-arching driving forces: genetic differentiation, environmental change, niche/habitat diversification and biotic interaction. The theories are reviewed and evaluated by delineating the development and current state of academic knowledge pertaining to each. General issues that arise from examining species diversity within the tropical realm are discussed and this indicates where the academic debate stands today. Some thoughts concerning future research avenues are included.

Key Words: biotic interaction • environmental change • genetic differentiation • niche/habitat diversification • scale • species diversity • tropical rain forest

Progress in Physical Geography, Vol. 25, No. 3, 326-354 (2001)
DOI: 10.1177/030913330102500302
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