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Recruitment dynamics of two low-density neotropical multiple-use tree species

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Abstract

In the present study, we describe the temporal and spatial variability in recruitment, growth, and mortality rates of seedlings and saplings of two low-density neotropical tree species, Dipteryx odorata and Copaifera reticulata in Eastern Amazonia, Brazil. As both species have important timber and non-timber uses, for each species we compare regeneration parameters among different management scenarios (sites used for timber logging, non-timber product extraction, and undisturbed forests). Results suggest that both species share similar natural regeneration characteristics. These include temporally and spatially asynchronous germination, existence of individuals that have more abundant and frequent fruit production than the average of the population and a positive influence of the mother tree crown on seedling and sapling density. The management activities analyzed did not influence the regeneration parameters of both species, which suggests that timber logging the way it was performed and current rates of D. odorata seed gathering and C. reticulata tapping at the study site are not sufficiently intense to threaten species population. However, some species characteristics, such as their reproductive strategies, light-demanding syndromes, low-dispersal ranges, and high-mortality rates of seedlings make both species vulnerable to exploitation.

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Aknowledgments

This research is the result of cooperation between Madrid Regional Govt. (YOSC000121), CIRAD and Embrapa Amazônia Oriental. It was partially funded by the “Floresta em Pé” Project. A post-doctoral research contract with the University Rey Juan Carlos (Madrid) through REMEDINAL has enabled the drafting of the final manuscript. Thanks to Raimundo Nonato Silva Feitosa (dead in 2008) and several extractivists from the Community of Pedreira who made the field work possible. We are indebted to two anonymous reviewers for valuable comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Calle José Antonio Novais s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    Cristina Herrero-Jáuregui & Miguel A. Casado

  2. Convênio Embrapa-CIRAD, Embrapa Amazônia Oriental, Trav. Enéas Pinheiro S/N, 66095-100, Pará, Brazil

    Cristina Herrero-Jáuregui & Carmen García-Fernández

  3. European Research Council Executive Agency, 1049, Brussels, Belgium

    Carmen García-Fernández

  4. Cirad-ES, UR (B&SEF) “Biens et Services des Ecosystèmes Forestiers tropicaux”, Campus International de Baillarguet, TA C-105/D, 34398, Montpellier Cedex 5, France

    Plinio L. J. Sist

Authors
  1. Cristina Herrero-Jáuregui
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  2. Carmen García-Fernández
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  3. Plinio L. J. Sist
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  4. Miguel A. Casado
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Correspondence to Cristina Herrero-Jáuregui.

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Herrero-Jáuregui, C., García-Fernández, C., Sist, P.L.J. et al. Recruitment dynamics of two low-density neotropical multiple-use tree species. Plant Ecol 212, 1501–1512 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-011-9924-0

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