Vegetation structure, composition, and species richness across a 56-year chronosequence of dry tropical forest on Providencia Island, Colombia

J Ruiz; M C Fandiño; Robin L Chazdon

doi:10.1111/j.1744-7429.2005.00070.x

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Vegetation structure, composition, and species richness across a 56-year chronosequence of dry tropical forest on Providencia Island, Colombia

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Vegetation structure, composition, and species richness across a 56-year chronosequence of dry tropical forest on Providencia Island, Colombia

J Ruiz, M C Fandiño and Robin L Chazdon

Biotropica, Vol.37(4), pp.520-530

2005

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7429.2005.00070.x

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Abstract

Caribbean

chronosequence

Colombia

dry tropical forest

Providencia

rarefaction

remote sensing

species richness

succession

We compared vegetation structure and species richness across a 56-yr chronosequence of six replicated age classes of dry tropical forest on the island of Providencia, Colombia, in the Southwest Caribbean. Stand age classes were determined using sequential, orthorectified panchromatic aerial photos acquired between 1944 and 1996 and Landsat 7 ETM + satellite imagery from 2000. Along the chronosequence we established 59 plots of 2 x 50 m (0.01 ha) to document changes in species richness, basal area, tree height, stem density, and sprouting ability. All woody trees and shrubs >2.5 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) were censused and measured. Although woody species density reached a peak in stands from 32 to 56 yr old, rarefaction analysis showed that species richness increased linearly with stand age and was highest in stands 56 yr old or greater. Nonparametric, abundance-based estimators of species richness also showed positive and linear associations with age. Basal area and mean tree height were positively associated with age since abandonment, while sprouting ability showed a negative relationship. Our results indicate rapid recovery of woody species richness and structural characteristics along this tropical dry forest chronosequence.

Details

Title: Vegetation structure, composition, and species richness across a 56-year chronosequence of dry tropical forest on Providencia Island, Colombia
Authors: J Ruiz (Author) - University de La Salle, Columbia
M C Fandiño (Author) - Instituto de Investigacion en Recursos Biologicos Alexander von Humboldt, Columbia
Robin L Chazdon (Author) - University of Connecticut, United States
Publication details: Biotropica, Vol.37(4), pp.520-530
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Inc.
Date published: 2005
DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-7429.2005.00070.x
ISSN: 0006-3606
Organisation Unit: Tropical Forests and People Research Centre; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Forest Research Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450439902621
Output Type: Journal article

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