Changes in some tropical forests

Abstract

In many respects the patterns of vegetation change in moist tropical lowland forests (Fig 10.1) resemble those in the temperate forests, described in Chapters 9 and 11 (Connell 1978, Whitmore 1975, Foster 1980, Putz 1983, Shugart 1984, Hubbell & Foster 1986a). There are, however, marked differences arising from: the warm, humid conditions, maintained rather evenly through the year; the rapid turnover of nutrients and often infertile, or only moderately fertile soils (but see Jordan & Herrera 1981); the lack of humus, with stocks of nutrients maintained in the living biomass of plants, microbes and animals; the large numbers of seed-dispersing vertebrate animals (bats, birds, monkeys and others); the intense pressure from insect herbivores on leaves, wood and seeds. Distinctive plant and vegetational features are: the often very rich flora of tree species; a wide variety of other life forms; tall forest, with complex vertical stratification; rapidity of plant growth processes; continuation of growth and other plant processes (by at least some of the species) over the whole year (Figs. 10.2–4).