title: Comment on "Conspecific negative density dependence and forest diversity".
abstract: Johnson and colleagues (Reports, 18 May 2012, p. 904) claim that conspecific negative density dependence is a pervasive mechanism driving forest diversity, especially for rare tree species. We show that their results are due to a statistical bias in their analysis caused by the exclusion of joint absences.
authors.affiliation: Landcare Research, Lincoln, 7640 New Zealand. dickiei@landcareresearch.co.nz
authors.forename: Ian A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Dickie
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hurst
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Bellingham
mesh_terms: D044822:Biodiversity; D017753:Ecosystem; D014197:Trees