ace with seasonal changes in the environment. Small-brained species, which do not have the behavioural flexibility necessary to respond to seasonal changes, would consequently be forced to adopt the alternative strategy to migrate to more favorable regions in winter.
Contact: Dr s Sol, Centre de Recerca Ecologica i Aplicacions Forestals, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Edifici Ciencies, BELLATERRA, E-08193, Spain

Organic matter dynamics control plant species coexistence in a tropical peat swamp forest by Dr. T Shimamura and Dr. K Momose (rspb.2005.3095)
We studied the relationships between the coexistence of tree species and the dynamics of organic matter in forests. A tropical peat swamp forest was selected as a model ecosystem, where biological processes create habitat heterogeneity. According to our new model based on our field experiments, the death and growth of some influential tree species affect some important variables of organic matter dynamics and change the conditions on the forest floor. Many tree species respond different to these conditions. Thus, we revealed that the spatial and temporal fluctuations of variables in organic matter dynamics, contribute to the coexistence of plant species.
Contact: Dr. T Shimamura, Laboratry of Forest Hydrology, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, KYOTO-CITY, 606-8502, Japan

Speciation: more likely through a genetic or through a learned habitat preference? By Professor JAJ Metz and Mr JB Beltman (rspb.2005.3104)
Individuals prefer environments specific to their species. This preference can be genetic, whereas in other cases individuals prefer the habitat of their youth. Habitat preferences can assist the formation of two species out of one as it fosters matings between individuals specialised on the same environment. The paper considers a model where initially an unspecialised species equally exploits two different habitats. During the forma
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Contact: Tim Watson
tim.watson@royalsoc.ac.uk
44-207-451-2508
Royal Society
28-Jun-2005

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