GROWTH ANALYSIS AND SUCCESSIONAL STATUS OF COSTA RICAN RAIN FOREST TREES

Abstract

The growth of seedlings of six species of tropical trees ranging from pioneer to shade‐tolerant canopy species was compared using sunflower (Helianthus animus L.) as a reference. Plants were grown in containers in a large clearing in the Atlantic lowlands of Costa Rica. Unit leaf rates of Ochroma lagopus Swartz, a pioneer species, were slightly lower but not significantly different from those of sunflower. With one exception, unit leaf rates increased from late‐ to early‐successional rank. Unit leaf rates of late‐successional species were 30 to 40% of that of sunflower. Relative growth rate, leaf area ratio, specific leaf weight, and root‐to‐shoot ratios also showed definite trends from early‐ to late‐successional rank. Multivariate analysis of these characteristics supported a priori rankings of these species. Copyright © 1986, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved