Although neighbourhood structure and light availability are recognized as factors that limit survival and species coexistence, its relative importance on plant design is not well understood. Guzmán and Cordero investigate the effect of these factors on biomechanics, allometry, branching and slenderness as properties of the plant design.
They found that interference and size of the neighbourhood increase the density-specific stiffness and decrease the developmental stability, while the light availability decreases the branching and increases the slenderness. Because of this, the design must be considered as a key factor that contributes to the adaptation and coexistence in forest communities.
