Padrões alométricos em espécies arbóreas pioneiras tropicais Allometric patterns for tropical pioneer tree species

Abstract

This study assesses the existence of allometric patterns for five tropical pioneer tree species which reflect their caracteristics of growth and occupation strategies. The studied species, Cecropia glazioui, Miconia cinnamomifolia, Schefflera morototoni, Miconia splendens and Vismia guianensis grow in secondary vegetation of atlantic rain forest, in the Forest Reserve of Linhares, north of Espírito Santo state, Brazil. The relationships between circumference, height and, crown depth and volume, were analysed, as well as the degree of similarity of those relationships inter among the species. The results revealed the existence of a growth pattern with higher investment in growth and height, in order to assure space in the forest canopy, and an other pattern related to growth in trunk diameter and crown volume, resulting in the occupation of horizontal space.