The Dynamics of tropical forest ecosystem with special reference to gap dynamics, regeneration and succession

Abstract

The ecosystem stability in forests is highly dependent on ecological efficiency of species to the changed habitat. Thus, in forest ecosystems, the biodiversity change, interruption of migration patches, changes in soil profile, changes in habitat and watershed, and changes in wildlife status etc are the major impacts of climate change. The forest canopy is not homogenous and dense canopy cover is often interspaced with openings, where tree saplings along with shrubby vegetation co-exist. The species in the openings or fewer dens region determining the forest structure for a very long time because of the long span of tree maturity phase, sometimes centuries. New species seedlings occupy the canopy openings, most of them are light demanding, and establish the community at the risk of shade loving species present under dense canopy region. This building phase of forest is the most important part of the life cycle. The survival of seedlings and transformation to the sapling stage can be more complex due to long-term environmental factors. The regeneration dynamics of the tropical forest ecosystem is poorly understood. The details are discussed in the paper.