SEEDLING SURVIVAL AND GROWTH OF NINE LATE SUCCESSIONAL SPECIES ACROSS TOPOGRAPHIC GRADIENT IN SRNHARAJA RAIN FOREST
1E. P. S. K. Ediriweera 1B. M. P. Singhekumara 2P. M. S. Ashton
1Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Univer sity of Sri Jayewardenepura
2School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, New Heven, U.S.A.
Growth performance of seedlings belong to nine late-successesional canopy tree species was studied at three different topographic positions (ridgetop, midslope and valley) in the Sinharaju rain forest, southwest Sri Lanka. Seedlings were planted in plots located in valleys, midslops and ridgetops. In each site four canopy openings and four adjacent understoreys were selected to plant seedlings of nine late-successional canopy tree species. Seedling growth and mortality were monitored for three years.
Results demonstrated that a clear difference in survival and growth among species. These differences appeared to be related to the availability of soil moisture and groundstorey radiation regimes of the forest. Shorea disticha exhibits high growth rate than others in each topographic position in each site. Seedlings of Mesua ferrea and Shorea megistophylla exhibit a higher survival than other species in canopy openings and understorey conditions of all topographic positions. Growth performance and survival of their species will be monitored for several years to study the nich specialization of the late-successional canopy tree seedlings
1Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Univer sity of Sri Jayewardenepura
2School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, New Heven, U.S.A.
Growth performance of seedlings belong to nine late-successesional canopy tree species was studied at three different topographic positions (ridgetop, midslope and valley) in the Sinharaju rain forest, southwest Sri Lanka. Seedlings were planted in plots located in valleys, midslops and ridgetops. In each site four canopy openings and four adjacent understoreys were selected to plant seedlings of nine late-successional canopy tree species. Seedling growth and mortality were monitored for three years.
Results demonstrated that a clear difference in survival and growth among species. These differences appeared to be related to the availability of soil moisture and groundstorey radiation regimes of the forest. Shorea disticha exhibits high growth rate than others in each topographic position in each site. Seedlings of Mesua ferrea and Shorea megistophylla exhibit a higher survival than other species in canopy openings and understorey conditions of all topographic positions. Growth performance and survival of their species will be monitored for several years to study the nich specialization of the late-successional canopy tree seedlings
posted by L A Matheesha Chamara Amarasekara @ 2:40 AM
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