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Seedling survival and growth of four Shorea species in a Sri Lankan rainforest

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

P. Mark S. Ashton  and
C. V. S. Gunatilleke
P. Mark S. Ashton
Affiliation:
School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
C. V. S. Gunatilleke
Affiliation:
Botany Department, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
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Abstract

In this study four species of the genus Shorea section Doom were investigated. All occur together as canopy trees in the Sinaraja rainforest of south-west Sri Lanka. Partitioning of the regeneration niche can be one explanation for the co-existence of ecologically similar canopy tree species within a forest. Seedlings were planted in plots located in five zones that represent a range of forest groundstorey microenvironments found adjacent to and across canopy openings of three sites – valley, midslope, ridgetop. Experiments were designed to monitor survíval and growth of planted seedlings for two years. At the end of two years percentage survival was calculated, height increment recorded and destructive samples taken to measure dry mass gain of root, stem and leaves. Comparisons were made of establishment and growth performance of seedlings planted in the different plots and sites. Results demonstrated clear differences in survival and growth among species. These differences appeared related to availability of soil moisture and groundstorey radiation regimes. Disturbance patterns that determine species co-existence are suggested.

Keywords

disturbancegrowthlightrainforestseedlingsShoreasoil moistureSri Lanka
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 11 , Issue 2 , May 1995 , pp. 263 - 279
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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References

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