Pioneer species distribution in treefall gaps in Neotropical rain forest; a gap definition and its consequences


Por: Popma J., Bongers F., Martinez-Ramos M., Veneklaas E.

Publicada: 1 ene 1988
Resumen:
An attempt was made to evaluate the consequences of applying a strict definition to the delimitation of forest gaps in the field. The northernmost Neotropical rain forest, at Los Tuxtlas, Mexico, was searched for young (1-2yr old) single-event gaps that would meet the criteria of the definition. In 60ha of rain forest, only 12 such gaps containing pioneer species could be found. Some 33 pioneer species (shrubs and trees) were used as indicator species for gap conditions. Gap size, measured as projected canopy opening underestimated from 44-515% the size of the area colonized by pioneer species. On average the size of the colonized area was 3.4 times larger than the size of the projected canopy opening. The majority of the pioneer species showed a relative preference for gap borders, an area generally not included in the projected canopy opening. Pioneer plant abundance and density, and species richness and density, did not differ significantly between gap centres and gap borders. Floristical variation was not related to gap size or location in the gap. Findings can be explained if gap environment (to which pioneer plants respond) is seen as the result of many interacting factors, of which size of the canopy opening is only one. -from Authors

Filiaciones:
Popma J.:
 Department of Plant Ecology, Utrecht University, Lange Nieuwstraat 106, 3512 PN Utrecht, Netherlands

 Laboratorio de Ecologia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Meéxico, Lange Nieuwstraat 106, 04510 Meéxico DF, United States

Bongers F.:
 Department of Plant Ecology, Utrecht University, Lange Nieuwstraat 106, 3512 PN Utrecht, Netherlands

 Laboratorio de Ecologia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Meéxico, Lange Nieuwstraat 106, 04510 Meéxico DF, United States

Martinez-Ramos M.:
 Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de México, ap. postal 70233 04510, Méexico DF, Mexico

Veneklaas E.:
 Department of Plant Ecology, Utrecht University, Lange Nieuwstraat 106, 3512 PN Utrecht, Netherlands

 Laboratorio de Ecologia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Meéxico, Lange Nieuwstraat 106, 04510 Meéxico DF, United States
ISSN: 02664674
Editorial
CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS, 32 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, NEW YORK, NY 10013-2473 USA, Estados Unidos America
Tipo de documento: Article
Volumen: 4 Número: 1
Páginas: 77-88
WOS Id: A1988M542500007