Gap-phase dynamics and coexistence of a long-lived pioneer and shade-tolerant tree species in the canopy of an old-growth coastal temperate rain forest of Chiloé Island, Chile

The responses of seedlings of Tristaniopsis laurina and Acmena smithii, two important tree species in riparian warm temperate rainforest communities in Victoria, are investigated in relation to flood disturbances. Freshly germinated A. smithii seedlings had died within 5 weeks of complete waterlogging in the greenhouse, and although the young T. laurina seedlings survived waterlogging for 14 weeks, their growth rate was curtailed. Nine-month-old seedlings of both species were found to be relatively tolerant to waterlogging, forming aerenchymatous surface roots after 40 days of flooding. Neither species suffered leaf abscission or demonstrated any other signs of water stress commonly associated with flood intolerant species. In experiments to determine the resilience of these species to physical flood damage, both species also demonstrated a capacity to regenerate vegetatively following the removal of above ground parts in young seedlings. The heartwood of T. laurina was found to be more decay resistant than that of other species in the field including that of A. smithii. The significance of these results are discussed in relation to other factors examined in earlier papers adding to the understanding of the ecological status of these species within the riparian rainforest communities.

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Gap-Phase dynamics and tropical tree species richness

Tropical Forests ◽

10.1016/b978-0-12-353550-4.50013-7 ◽

1989 ◽

pp. 65-73 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

G.S. HARTSHORN

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Tree Species ◽

Tropical Tree ◽

Phase Dynamics ◽

Tropical Tree Species ◽

Tree Species Richness ◽

Gap Phase

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Bryophyte community differences between edge and interior environments in temperate rain-forest fragments of coastal British Columbia

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x04-209 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 580-592 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Lyn K Baldwin ◽

Gary E Bradfield

Keyword(s):

British Columbia ◽

Species Richness ◽

Functional Groups ◽

Rain Forest ◽

Species Abundance ◽

Forest Edge ◽

Forest Fragments ◽

Old Growth ◽

Edge Zone ◽

Temperate Rain Forest

The species richness, community composition, and abundance of bryophytes within taxonomic and functional groups were examined in relation to habitat conditions in forest edge and interior habitats of nine old-growth temperate rain-forest patches remaining after logging in the Nimpkish River Valley of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Bryophytes were sampled at a fine scale using 0.1 m × 0.3 m microplots to examine responses of species abundance on the forest floor, downed logs, and tree bases and at a coarser scale using 10 m × 2 m belt transects to determine changes in patterns of species richness and distribution. Edge habitats, sampled to a depth of 45 m into the forest fragments, were characterized by greater windthrow disturbance. Within the edge zone, increases in the richness of clearing-affiliated functional groups were associated primarily with the location of windthrown trees and tip-up mounds, rather than with distance from the edge per se. Interior habitats had both greater abundance of old-growth-associated functional groups and total bryophyte cover. The extension of the edge zone to at least 45 m into remnant patches carries implications for minimum patch size requirements in the context of variable-retention logging of coastal temperate rain forests.

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