Dissertation Research: Effect of an Experimentally Created Light Gradient on Tree Seedling Performance in a Tropical Secondary Forest Community

9411808 Sork随着原生林被砍伐，贫瘠的田地和牧场被遗弃，年轻的次生林在整个热带地区变得越来越普遍和重要。然而，对次生林树木更新动态的研究很少。本研究考察了秘鲁亚马逊地区10年次生林树苗建立的生态学。目的是：1)研究受保护幼苗的种内和种间生长和存活模式；2)测量暴露于食草动物和凋落物的物理损伤对幼苗性能的影响；3)评估种子和幼苗的形态特征是否能预测性能。这项研究将大大提高我们对次生林更新过程的认识。研究结果对热带森林生态系统的保护与恢复具有一定的应用价值。

9411808 Sork Young secondary forests are becoming increasingly common and important throughout the tropics as primary forests are cleared and unproductive fields and pastures are abondoned. However, the dynamics of tree regeneration in secondary forests have received very little research. This study examines the ecology of tree seedling establishment in ten-year old secondary forest in Amazonian Peru. The objectives are to: 1) examine intra- and interspecific patterns of growth and survivorship of protected seedlings, 2) measure impact of exposure to physical damage from herbivores and litter fall on seedling performance, and 3) evaluate whether morphological traits of seeds and seedlings are predictive of performance. This research will greatly improve our understanding of the processes of secondary forest regeneration. The results of this study will have application in the conservation and restoration of tropical forest ecosystems.