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Allometric relationships of tropical trees along a successional gradient

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The allometric relationships of tropical trees change along ontogeny and ecological succession at the level of populations and communities.

Abstract

Tree size and shape can influence their survival and growth, affecting the community dynamics. In this study, we explored how the tree allometric relationship is altered along in the succession of a tropical forest. We measure stem diameter (SD), total height (H), crown volume (CV) of juvenile, and adult trees in areas of 7–17, 20–30, 35–55, and > 80 years of Atlantic Forest in Brazil. The study was carried out for the community (all individuals were considered) and population (the most abundant species). We tested allometric relationships between H, SD and CV with the standardized major axis function. The results indicate that, in general, successional gradient establishes conditions that affect the way resources are invested in trees, despite variations among the type of allometric relationship, the ontogenetic phase, the successional stage and species considered. There are tendencies in individuals becoming taller, and proportionally, with crowns less voluminous along the succession. Variations in height, stem diameter and crown investment along the successional gradient suggest that shade tolerance is the main driver affecting the ontogenetic niche and shaping tree allometry. These results suggest that the successional age and the ontogeny of the individuals affect plant dynamics, and possibly, the coexistence of the species.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to José A. Pimenta and Valéria Martins, for the suggestions to first version of the manuscript. To Sociedade de Pesquisa em Vida Selvagem e Educação Ambiental (SPVS), for logistical support; to Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) for scholarships for TMB and ESC; and to Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), for financial support and grant to MCMM.

Funding

Fundação Grupo Boticário (FGB 0801_20082, FGB A2012009), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (Brazilian Research Council) (CNPq, 475127/2008-0, 577336/2008-8, 304650/2012-9, 303897/2016-3, 457464/2012-7, 401613/2016-3, 303356/2019-7) e a Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES 88882.181293/2018-01).

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  1. Laboratory of Plant Ecology, Department of Botany, SCB, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Parana, 81581-980, Brazil

    Tamires Marcela Burda, Elivane S. Capellesso, Luciana C. Franci & Márcia C. M. Marques

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  1. Tamires Marcela Burda
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  2. Elivane S. Capellesso
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  3. Luciana C. Franci
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TMB: assisted in data collection, analyzed data and wrote the manuscript; ESC: data collection and compilation; LCF: assisted in data analysis and graphic production; MCMM: conceived the manuscript; all the authors: contributed critically to discussion, to revise the drafts and gave final approval for publication.

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Correspondence to Tamires Marcela Burda.

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Burda, T.M., Capellesso, E.S., Franci, L.C. et al. Allometric relationships of tropical trees along a successional gradient. Trees 36, 439–449 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-021-02219-3

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