Assessing the ecological significance of molecular diversity data in natural plant populations

Despite extensive research for several decades, there remains a lack of und erstanding of the processes that determine the dynamics of natural plant co mmunities. In this paper some current concepts in vegetation dynamics are r eviewed and an attempt is made to provide a perspective of the way in which data for molecular diversity might be used to help in developing an unders tanding of population processes. It is proposed that data from assessments of general population diversity, and specific ecophysiological traits can b e used to assess the potential for individual species be used to assess the potential for Individual species to compete and substitute for each other in a community.