Janzen-Connell Hypothesis

The Janzen-Connell Hypothesis explains how high plant diversity is maintained in forests. It suggests that seeds and young plants are more likely to survive if they grow away from the parent tree, because nearby areas attract specialized pests, diseases, or seed predators. These threats reduce the chances of any one species dominating, allowing many different species to coexist by promoting spatial diversity. Essentially, the hypothesis highlights how natural enemies prevent a single species from taking over, fostering a diverse and balanced forest ecosystem.