The dynamics of tree populations in tropical forest: a review

Published work on the dynamics of forest tree recruitment, growth and mortality in natural tropical forest is reviewed. In most forests studied, annual mortality is between 1 percent and 2 percent and is independent of size class in trees ó 10 cm dbh; mortality is negatively correlated with growth rate and crown illumination; growth rate is highly variable between individual trees, but shows strong autocorrelation between succesive measurements on the same tree. Differences in the rate of dynamic processes can be detected between some species at a site, but data are presently insufficient to determine whether these differences are preserved at other sites where the species occur. None of the studies discussed are of sufficient duration to permit us to draw any conclusions about the equilibrium or non-equilibrium of floristic composition.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: 122548 Swaine, M.D., 86629 Lieberman, D., 107241 Putz, F.E.
Format: biblioteca
Published: 1987
Subjects:DINAMICA DE LA POBLACION, CLAROS, MORTALIDAD, CRECIMIENTO, BOSQUE NATURAL,
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Summary:Published work on the dynamics of forest tree recruitment, growth and mortality in natural tropical forest is reviewed. In most forests studied, annual mortality is between 1 percent and 2 percent and is independent of size class in trees ó 10 cm dbh; mortality is negatively correlated with growth rate and crown illumination; growth rate is highly variable between individual trees, but shows strong autocorrelation between succesive measurements on the same tree. Differences in the rate of dynamic processes can be detected between some species at a site, but data are presently insufficient to determine whether these differences are preserved at other sites where the species occur. None of the studies discussed are of sufficient duration to permit us to draw any conclusions about the equilibrium or non-equilibrium of floristic composition.