Architecture of 54 moist-forest tree species: traits, trade-offs, and functional groups

• Published in: Ecology (Durham) Vol. 87; no. 5; pp. 1289 - 1301
• Main Authors: Poorter, L, Bongers, L, Bongers, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.2006
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological; allometry; Bolivia; Discriminant Analysis; ecological function; Environment; forest trees; light requirement; Photosynthesis; plant architecture; Plant Leaves - physiology; Reference Values; shade tolerance; Species Specificity; Sunlight; Trees - anatomy & histology; Trees - growth & development; Trees - physiology; Tropical Climate; tropical rain forests; Bolivia

Tree architecture is an important determinant of the height extension, light capture, and mechanical stability of trees, and it allows species to exploit the vertical height gradient in the forest canopy and horizontal light gradients at the forest floor. Tropical tree species partition these gradie...