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Regeneration through sprout formation in Chlorocardium rodiei (Lauraceae) in Guyana

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 1998

Meta H. Rijks
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 800.84, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands
Erik-Jan Malta
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 800.84, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands Netherlands Institute of Ecology, Centre for Estuarine and Coastal Ecology, P.O. Box 140, 4400 AC Yerseke, The Netherlands.
Roderick J. Zagt
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 800.84, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands Tropenbos-Guyana Programme, 12 E Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, Guyana

Abstract

The contribution of sprouts to the long-term survival of Chlorocardium rodiei, following logging was investigated. Differently aged sprout populations on cut stumps were surveyed to determine the numbers of sprouts produced, probability of survival and growth rates. Fifty-five to 70% of the stumps produced sprouts. The proportion of stumps that sprouted was lower for the hollow stumps than for the intact ones and the number of sprouts produced per stump was reduced. No significant correlation was found between stump diameter and the number of sprouts. Some sprouts survived for at least 15 y (usually one per stump), and these had a significantly larger average diameter relative to the sprouts at younger sites. The number of sprouts and the diameter of the largest sprout showed a significant positive correlation, suggesting that the maintenance of the inherited stump root system is shared among the sprouts so that the costs per sprout are reduced. We conclude that sprouting on cut stumps may have the potential to contribute to the maintenance of C. rodiei in the canopy at logged sites.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1998 Cambridge University Press

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