Publications

21 first author articles and 3 last author articles; h-index=26; i10-index=41

2024

53) O’Brien MJ, Hector A, Ong R, Philipson CD (2024) Tree growth and survival are more sensitive to high rainfall than drought in an aseasonal forest in Malaysia. Communications Earth & Environment, 5, 179. MOB_2024_CEE.pdf

52) Bartholomew DC, Hayward R, Burslem DFRP, Bittencourt PRL, Chapman D, Suis MAFB, Nilus R, O’Brien MJ, Reynolds G, Rowland L, Banin LF, Dent D (2024) Bornean tropical forests recovering from logging at risk of regeneration failure. Global Change Biology, 30, e17209. DCB_2024_GCB.pdf

51) Huang J, …O’Brien MJ,…24 authors. (2024) The mobilization and transport of newly-fixed carbon are driven by plant water-use in an experimental rainforest under drought. Journal of Experimental Botany, 75, 2545–2557. JH_2024_JEB.pdf

50) Medina-Vega JA,…O’Brien MJ,…41 authors. (2024) Tropical tree ectomycorrhiza are distributed independently of soil nutrients. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 8, 400–410. JMV_2024_NEE.pdf

49) Perng B-H,Lam TY, Su S-H, Bin Md Sabri Md, Burslem D, Cardenas D, Duque A, Ediriweera S, Gunatilleke N, Novotny V, O’Brien MJ, Reynolds G (2023) Integrating rapidassessment,variable probability sampling, and machine learning to improve accuracy and consistency in mapping local spatial distribution of plant species richness. Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research, 97, 282–294. BHP_2023_ForIFJR.pdf

2023

48) Delavaux CS,…O’Brien MJ,…75 authors (2023) Mycorrhizal feedbacks influence global forest structure and diversity. Communications Biology, 6, 1066. CSD_2023_ComBio.pdf

47) Veryard R, Wu J, O’Brien MJ, Anthony R, Both S, Burslem DFRP, Chen B, Fernandez-Miranda Cagigal E, Godfray HCJ, Godoong E, Liang S, Saner P, Schmid B, Wai YS, Xie J, Reynolds G, Hector A (2023) Positive effects of tree diversity on tropical forest restoration in a field-scale experiment. Science Advances, 9, eadf0938. RV_2023_SciAdv.pdf

46) Banin, LF,…O’Brien MJ,…39 authors (2023) The road to recovery: a synthesis of outcomes from ecosystem restoration in tropical and sub-tropical Asian forests. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 378, 20210090. LFB_2023_PhilTrans.pdf

2022

45) Ordway EM, Asner GP, Burslem DFRP, Lewis SL, Nilus R, Martin RE, O’Brien MJ, Phillips OL, Qie L, Vaughn NR, Moorcroft PR (2022) Mapping tropical forest functional variation at satellite remote sensing resolutions depends on key traits. Communications Earth & Environment, 3, 1 – 11. EO_2022_CEE.pdf

44) O’Brien MJ, Hector A, Kellenberger RT, Maycock CR, Ong R, Philipson CD, Powers JS, Reynolds G, Burslem DFRP (Accepted) Demographic consequences of heterogeneity in conspecific density dependence among mast fruiting tropical trees. Proceedings of the Royal Society B. MOB_2022_PRSB.pdf

43) O’Brien MJ, Carbonell EP, Schöb C (Online) Aprisco Field Station: The spatial structure of a new experimental site focused on agroecology. Journal of Plant Ecology. MOB_2022_JPE.pdf

42) Piponiot C,…O’Brien MJ*,…>50 authors (2022) Distribution of biomass dynamics in relation to tree size in forests across the world. New Phytologist, 234, 1664 – 1677. CP_2022_NPH.pdf

41) Cesarz S, Craven D, Auge H, Bruelheide H, Castagneyrol B, Gutknecht J, Hector A, Jactel H, Koricheva J, Messier C, Muys B, O’Brien MJ*, Paquette A, Ponette Q, Potvin C, Reich P, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Smith A, Verheyen K, Eisenhauer N (2022) Tree diversity effects on soil microbial biomass and respiration are context dependent across forest diversity experiments. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 31, 872 – 885. SC_2022_GEB.pdf

40) O’Brien MJ, Escudero A (2022) Topography in tropical forests enhances growth and survival differences within and among species via water availability and biotic interactions. Functional Ecology, 36, 686 – 698. MOB_2022_FE.pdf

39) Duncanson L,…O’Brien MJ*, …>100 authors (2022) Aboveground biomass density models for NASA’s Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) lidar mission. Remote Sensing of Environment, 270, 112845. LD_2022_RSE.pdf

2021

38) Ng KKS, Kobayashi MJ, Fawcett JA, Hatakeyama M, Paape T, Ng CH, Ang CC, Tnah LH, Lee CT, Nishiyama T, Sese J, O’Brien MJ*, Copetti D, Isa MNM, Ong RC, Putra M, Siregar IZ, Indrioko S, Kosugi Y, Izuno A, Isagi Y, Lee SL, Shimizu KK (2021) The genome of Shorea leprosula (Dipterocarpaceae) highlights the ecological relevance of drought in aseasonal tropical rainforests. Communications Biology, 4, 1166. KKSN_2021_ComBio.pdf

37) Zhong Y,…O’Brien MJ*…>50 authors (2021) Arbuscular mycorrhizal trees influence the latitudinal beta-diversity gradient of tree communities in forests worldwide. Nature Communications, 12, 3137. ZY_2021_NatComm.pdf

36) Parajuli R, O’Brien MJ*, Timilsinaa B, Pugnaire FI, Schöb C, Ghimirea SK (2021) Facilitation by an endemic shrub enhances plant diversity of human-valued species at high-elevations in the Himalayas of Nepal. Basic and Applied Ecology, 56, 23 – 36. RP_2021_BAE.pdf

35) Cao K,…O’Brien MJ*…>40 authors (2021) Species packing and the latitudinal gradient in local beta-diversity. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 288, 20203045. KC_2021_PRSB.pdf

34) O’Brien MJ, Carbonell EP, Losapio G, Schlüter PM, Schöb C (2021) Foundation species promote local adaptation and fine-scale distribution of herbaceous plants. Journal of Ecology, 109, 191 – 203. MOB_2021_JE.pdf

33) Davies, SJ…O’Brien MJ*…>100 authors (2021) ForestGEO: Understanding forest diversity and dynamics through a global observatory network. Biological Conservation, 253, 108907. SJD_2021_BC.pdf

2020

32) Cannon PG, O’Brien MJ, Yusah KM, Edwards DP, Freckleton RP (2020) Limited contributions of plant pathogens to density‐dependent seedling mortality of mast fruiting Bornean trees. Ecology and Evolution, 10, 13154 – 13164. PGC_2020_EcoEvo.pdf

31) Mareslis SM, Abernathy K, Alonso A, Armston J, Baker T, Bastin J-F, Bogaert J, Boyd D, Boeckx P, Burslem D, Chazdon R, Clark D, Coomes D, Duncanson L, Hancock S, Hill R, Hopkinson C, Kearsley E, Kellner J, Kenfack D, Labiére N, Lewis S, Minor D, Memiaghe H, Monteagudo A, Nilus R, O’Brien MJ*, Phillips O, Poulsen J, Tang H, Verbeek H, Dubayah R (In press) Evaluating the potential of full-waveform lidar for mapping pan-tropical tree species richness. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 29, 1799 – 1816. SMM_2020_GEB.pdf

30) O’Brien MJ, Valtat A, Abiven S, Struder MS, Ong R, Schmid B (2020) The role of soluble sugars during drought in tropical tree seedlings with contrasting tolerances. Journal of Plant Ecology, 13, 389 – 397. MOB_2020_JPE.pdf

29) Wu J, Chen B, Reynolds G, Xie J, Liang S, O’Brien MJ*, Hector A (2020) Monitoring tropical forest degradation and restoration with satellite remote sensing: A test using Sabah Biodiversity Experiment. Advances in Ecological Research, 62, 117 – 146. JW_2020_AER.pdf

2019

28) Wagg C, Barry KE, O’Brien MJ*, McKenzie-Gopsill A, Roscher C, Eisenhauer N, Schmid B (2019) Not even wrong: Comment by Wagg et al., Ecology, 100, e02805. CW_Ecology_2019.pdf

27) O’Brien MJ, Tavares de Menezes LF, Bråthen KA, Losapio G, Pugnaire FI (2019) Facilitation mediates species presence beyond their environmental optimum. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, 39, 24 – 30. MOB_PPEES_2019.pdf

26) O’Brien MJ, Philipson CD, Reynolds G, Dzulkifli D, Snaddon JL, Ong R, Hector A (In press) Interactive effects of liana removal and climate on seedlings, saplings and trees. Journal of Applied Ecology, 56, 891 – 901. MOB_JAPPL_2019.pdf

25) Chu C…O’Brien MJ…71 co-authors (2019) Direct and indirect effects of climate on richness drive the latitudinal diversity gradient in forest trees. Ecology Letters, 22, 245 – 255. CC_EcoLet_2019.pdf

2018

24) Gomola C, McKay JK, Wallenstein MD, Wagg C, O’Brien MJ (2018) Within-species tradeoffs in plant-stimulated soil enzyme activity and growth, flowering and seed size. Ecology and Evolution, 8, 11717 – 11724. CEG_ECE_2018.pdf

23) O’Brien MJ, Peréz-Aviles, D, Powers JS (2018) Resilience of seed production to a severe El Niño-induced drought across functional groups and dispersal types. Global Change Biology, 24, 5270 – 5280. MOB_GCB_2018.pdf

22) O’Brien MJ,  Pugnaire FI, Rodríguez-Echeverría S, Morillo JA, Martín-Usero F, López-Escoriza A, Aránega DJ, Armas C (2018) Mimicking a rainfall gradient to test the role of soil microbiota for mediating plant species responses to drier conditions. Oikos, 127, 1776 – 1786. MOB_Oikos_2018.pdf

21) Losapio G, Pugnaire FI, O’Brien MJ, Schöb C (2018) Plant life history stage and nurse age change the development of ecological networks in an arid ecosystem. Oikos, 127, 1390 – 1397. GL_Oikos_2018.pdf

20) Hartmann H, Anderegg WRL, Moura C, et al….O’Brien MJ (2018) Research frontiers for improving our understanding of drought-induced tree and forest mortality. New Phytologist, 218, 15 – 28. HH_NPH_2018.pdf

2017

19) Wagg C, O’Brien MJ, Vogel A, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Eisenhauer N, Schmid B, Weigelt A (2017) Plant diversity maintains long-term ecosystem productivity under frequent drought by increasing short-term variation. Ecology, 98, 2952 – 2961. CW_Ecology_2017.pdf

18) O’Brien MJ, Reynolds G, Ong R, Hector A (2017) Resistance of tropical seedlings to drought is mediated by neighbourhood diversity. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 1, 1643 – 1648MOB_NEE_2017.pdf

17) O’Brien MJ, Brezzi M, Schuldt A, Zhang JY, Ma K, Schmid B, Niklaus PA (2017) Tree diversity drives diversity of arthropod herbivores but successional stage mediates detritivores. Ecology and Evolution, 7, 8753 – 8760. MOB_ECE_2017.pdf

16) Adams H, Zeppel MJB, Anderegg WRL… O’Brien MJet al. (2017) A multi-species synthesis of physiological mechanisms in drought-induced tree mortality. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 1, 1285 – 1291. HA_NEE_2017.pdf

15) Granados A, Brodie J, Bernard H, O’Brien MJ (2017) Defaunation and habitat disturbance interact synergistically to alter seedling recruitment. Ecological Applications, 27, 2092 – 2101. AG_EAppl_2017.pdf

14) O’Brien MJ, Pugnaire FI, Armas C, Rodríguez-Echeverría S, Schöb C (2017) The shift from plant-plant facilitation to competition under severe water deficit is spatially explicit. Ecology and Evolution, 7, 2441 – 2448. MOB_ECE_2017.pdf

13) O’Brien MJ, Ong R, Reynolds, G (2017) Intra-annual plasticity of growth mediates drought resilience over multiple years in tropical seedling communities. Global Change Biology. DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13658. MOB_GCB_2017.pdf

12) O’Brien MJ, Engelbrecht BMJ, Joswig J, Pereyra G, Schuldt B, Jansen S, Kattge J, Landhäusser SM, Levick SR, Preisler Y, Väänänen P, Macinnis-Ng C (2017) A synthesis of tree functional traits related to drought-induced mortality in forests across climatic zones. Journal of Applied EcologyMOB_JAPPL_2017.pdf

11) Cheng Choon A, O’Brien MJ, Ng KKS, Lee PC, Hector A, Schmid B, Shimizu KK (2017) Genetic diversity of two tropical tree species of the Dipterocarpaceae following logging and restoration in Borneo: high genetic diversity in plots with high species diversity. Plant Ecology and Diversity, 9, 459 – 469. ACC_PED_2017.pdf

2016

10) Tuck SL, O’Brien MJ, Philipson CD, Saner P, Tanadini M, Dzulkifli D, Godfray HCJ, Godoong E, Nilus R, Ong RC, Schmid B, Sinun W, Snaddon JL, Snoep M, Tangki H, Tay J, Ulok P, Wai YS, Weilenmann M, Reynolds G, Hector A. (2016). The value of biodiversity for the functioning of tropical forests: insurance effects during the first decade of the Sabah Biodiversity Experiment. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 283, 20161451. SLT_PRSB_2016.pdf

9) Iturrate-Garcia M, O’Brien MJ, Khitun O, Abiven S, Niklaus PA, Schaepman-Strub G (2016) Interactive effects of plant functional types and soil on species diversity and community composition in tundra. Ecology and Evolution, 6, 8126 – 8137. MIG_EcoEvo_2016.pdf

8) Argüello A, O’Brien MJ*, van der Heijden MGA, Wiemken A, Schmid B, Niklaus PA (2016) Options of partners improve carbon for phosphorus trade in the arbuscular mycorrhizal mutualism. Ecology Letters, 19, 648 – 656. MOB_EcoLet_2016.pdf *I am co-first author. Analyzed and wrote the article.

2015

7) O’Brien MJ, Burslem DFRP, Caduff A, Tay J, Hector A (2015). Contrasting non-structural carbohydrate dynamics of tropical tree seedlings under water deficit and variability. New Phytologist, 205, 1083 – 1094. MOB_NPH_2015.pdf

2014

6) Philipson CD, Dent DH, O’Brien MJ, Chamagne J, Dzulkifli D, Nilus R, Philips S, Reynolds G, Saner P, Hector A (2014) A trait-based trade-off between growth and mortality: evidence from 15 tropical tree species using size-specific relative growth rates. Ecology and Evolution, 4, 3675 – 3688. CDP_EcoEvo_2014.pdf

5) O’Brien MJ, Leuzinger S, Philipson CD, Tay J, Hector A (2014). Drought survival of tropical tree seedlings enhanced by non-structural carbohydrate levels. Nature Climate Change, 4, 710 – 714. MOB_NCC_2014.pdf   MOB_NCC_Sup_2014.pdf

2013

4) O’Brien MJ, Philipson CD, Tay J, Hector A (2013) The influence of variable rainfall frequency on germination and early growth of shade-tolerant dipterocarp seedlings in Borneo. PLoS ONE, 8, e70287. MOB_POne_2013.pdf

2011

3) Hector A, Philipson C, Saner P, Chamagne J, Dzulkifli D, O’Brien MJ, Snaddon JL, Ulok P, Weilenmann M, Reynolds G, Godfray HCJ (2011) The Sabah Biodiversity Experiment: a long-term test of the role of tree diversity in restoring tropical forest structure and functioning. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 366, 3303 – 3315. AH_PhilTrans_2011.pdf

2010

2) O’Brien MJ, Gomola CE, Horton TR (2010) The effect of forest soil and community composition on ectomycorrhizal colonization and seedling growth. Plant and Soil, 341, 321 – 331. MOB_PlantSoil_2010.pdf

2007

1) O’Brien MJ, O’Hara KL, Erbilgin N, Wood DL (2007) Overstory and shrub effects on natural regeneration processes in native Pinus radiata. Forest Ecology and Management, 240, 178 – 185. MOB_FEM_2007.pdf