New Site Formation and Colonizing Vegetation in Primary Succession on the Western Amazon Floodplains

Abstract

The major proportion of western Amazon forests grow on fluvial deposits and thus originated in floodplain environments. The fluviodynamic character of the sites initially colonized by plants was studied along different river types, and this information was combined with botanical observations from the same areas. Special emphasis was given to colonizing plant distribution and survival in relation to the abiotic environment. Four frequently occurring landform types, each rich in microforms, were recognized in relation to the colonization process : fluvial bars, swales, abandoned channels and riverbanks (...)