Effects of light conditions on photosynthesis and growth of tree seedlings in a lowland tropical forest of Costa Rica
Article
Fetcher, N, Oberbauer, SF, Rojas, G et al. (1987). Effects of light conditions on photosynthesis and growth of tree seedlings in a lowland tropical forest of Costa Rica
. 35(Supp.1), 97-110.
Fetcher, N, Oberbauer, SF, Rojas, G et al. (1987). Effects of light conditions on photosynthesis and growth of tree seedlings in a lowland tropical forest of Costa Rica
. 35(Supp.1), 97-110.
Growth experiments were carried out on seedlings of Heliocarpus appendiculatus, Cordia alliodora, Hampea appendiculata, Dipteryx panamensis, Virola koschnyi and Pentaclethra macroloba. In general, early successional species were less affected by the previous environment after being moved to a new environment than were late successional species, suggesting that they might be capable of acclimating more rapidly. An expception was the early successional species Hampea appendiculata, whose growth was strongly inhibited in full sun conditions. Photosynthesis measurements were carried out on seedlings of Ochroma lagopus, Heliocarpus appendiculatus, Cordia alliodora, Hampea appendiculata, Dipteryx panamensis, Simarouba amara, Carapa guianensis and Minquartia guianensis grown under full sun, partial shade (25% of full sun) and full shade (2% of full sun). In general, maximum photosynthetic and respiration rates were higher for certain early successional species. But capacity to adjust maximum photosynthetic rate was not related to initial estimate of successional status. Some early and late successional species showed a high capacity to adjust photosynthetic rate to prevailing environment; others did not. Light compensation points for seedlings grown in full shade were low (6-14 μmol m-2s-1) for both early and late successional species. Under full shade, there was no appreciable difference in light compensation point between early and late successional species. When response variables are considered separately, tree species with apparently similar ecological roles do not necessarily have similar acclimation responses. -from English summary
