CRECIMIENTO DIAMÉTRICO DE ESPECIES ARBÓREAS EN UN BOSQUE ESTACIONAL DE LOS LLANOS OCCIDENTALES DE VENEZUELA DIAMETRIC TREE GROWTH IN FUNCTIONAL GROUPS SPECIES IN A SEASONAL FOREST OF THE VENEZUELAN WESTERN PLAINS

Le résumé fourni par la source

Tree species diametric growth rates were studied for different functional groups and in several physiographic positions in the Experimental Area of Caparo Forest Reserve, Venezuela. Functional groups were defined according to light requirements and maximum tree heights. We used a data set from permanent plots where diameter at breast height (DBH) was measured during a period of 18 years for all trees with DBH ≥ 10 cm. The largest DBH values were found for large (>30 m in height) intermediate tolerant species and large tolerant species. In general, growth rates estimated in this study are within the range reported for the tropical zone. Regarding tree total density significant differences were found among functional groups, but not between physiographic positions. The highest values of tree growth rate per diametric category were recorded for the intermediate categories. Moreover, highly significant differences were found between tree growth rates of functional group species, but not between physiographical positions. The group of palms showed the highest growth rates followed by small intermediate tolerant species. Intermediate tolerant species and small tolerant species showed the lowest tree growth rates. These results are in agreement with expected patterns regarding the traits of these functional groups.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.