Density and Growth Rate of Some Tropical Dry Forest Trees: Comparisons between Successional Forest Types

Abstract

CHAPMAN, C. A. AND L. J. CHAPMAN (Dept. of Biology, McGill University, 1205 Dr. Penfield Ave., Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3A 1B1). Density and growth rate of some tropical dry forest trees: comparisons between successional forest types. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 117: 226231. 1990.-During a 4-year study in northwestern Costa Rica, the density, phenology, and growth rate of 29 species of dry forest trees important in the diets of primates were documented in three habitat types: pristine semi-evergreen forest, old successional semi-deciduous forest, and young successional semi-deciduous forest. The overall density of adult trees for the species sampled was the lowest in the young successional forest (80 trees/ha) followed by the pristine semi-evergreen forest (140.3 trees/ha) and the older successional forest (154.8 trees/ha). However, the pristine semi-evergreen forest had a fairly constant level of food abundance, while both types of successional forest had more seasonally variable production. The average growth rate of trees in the semi-evergreen forest was slower than those documented in either of the successional forests.