Estrutura, dinamica e alometria de quatro especies arboreas tropicais

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2000

RESUMO

Size structure, pattern of light enviromnent distribution, demographic traits, and allometric relationships in crown shape and trunk diameter with height, were compared among four tropical tree species differing in maximum size (maximum height attained by adult trees/canopy position). Species chosen for study included a subcanopy species (Garcinia gardneriana), two canopy (Chrysophyllumflexuosum e Swartzia simplex varo grandiflora) and one emergent species (Sloanea guianensis). This study was carried out in Atlantic rain forest, SE Brazil (44°48 W, 23°22 S). Size structure (diameter at breast height and total height) and distribution in relation to light environrnents were determined for individuals ~ 50 cm height in 1.07 ha samp1e area. Individual light environrnent was assessed by three variab1es: crown illumination index, number of crowns above, and forest phase (mature, building and gap). Annual growth rates in height and diameter, recruitment, and mortality were estimated by annual census conducted between 1996 and 1998. For each tree ~ 1 cm dbh, it was recorded dbh, total height, and measurements re1ated to crown shape (branching height, crown area, crown width and crown length). The studied species showed some differences in size structure and patterns of light environrnent distribution re1ated to maximum height. The analysis of light environrnent distribution tbrough ontogeny suggested low shade tolerance and variation in size structure for canopy and emergent species. AlI species, irrespective of maximum height, showed high and constant survival in alI size classes, and growth rates not strong1y corre1ated to increases in light availability. Interespecific differences in diameter-height re1ationships suggested thicker trunks with increasing height for the emergent tree species. Allometric relationships between measured variables re1ated to crown shape and tree height did not specify marked variation among species of different maximum height. However, when these same allometric relationships were evaluated for different sized trees in each species, different interespecific strategies of resource allocation to trunk and crown dimensions became evident. Interespecific differences in size structure, pattern of light environrnent distribution, demographic traits and al10metry in re1ation to maximum height were observed on1y by analyzing these traits through ontogeny. The results obtained in this study suggest that understanding the regeneration process in tropical tree species requires that life history differences between species be evaluated by accounting juvenile as well adult trees

ASSUNTO(S)

florestas tropicais ecologia vegetal

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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