Dendroecological Analysis of Cordia Alliodora, Pseudobombax Septenatum and Annona Spraguei in Central Panama

Abstract

Several plant communities in central Panama, each community located near a weather station, contain trees with annual growth rings, i. e. Cordia alliodora , Pseudobombax septenatum , and Annona spraguei . Tree-ring data are particularly valuable when concomitant weather information is readily available. Patterns of growth for the above species of trees were investigated across central Panama in relation to climate. A linear aggregate climate model was fitted to chronologies of each species at three sites along a rainfall gradient. Comparisons were made among sites to help explain how climate influences tree growth within central Panama.