Pauléus, Osé

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    Predicting seedling establishment in tropical dry forest using plant traits and microsites
    (2012) Pauléus, Osé; Van-Bloem, Skip J.; College of Agricultural Sciences; Thaxton, Jarrod M.; Whitmire, Stefanie; O'Farrill-Nieves, Hipólito; Department of Crops and Agro-Environmental Sciences
    Tropical dry forests are considered the most threatened terrestrial ecosystem due to their conversion into agricultural lands. Reforestation of these sites is critical to restore forest structure, function, and diversity. Understanding the environmental factors that affect sapling survival and establishment could help improve success in reforestation projects. This study investigated the ability of different species to adjust physiological leaf traits in response to harsh environmental conditions in tropical dry forest, and the influence of different microsite characteristics on plant growth and survival. Leaf chlorophyll content, leaf water content, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, water use efficiency (WUE), specific leaf area (SLA), growth, and survival rate were determined in an experimental planting of 9 tree species growing under three different vegetation covers (full sun, full shade, partial shade) in an experimental planting in Puerto Rico. Experimental results were compared to physiological measurements on 21 other tree species observed in dry forest remnants in Southwestern Puerto Rico. The relationships between microsite characteristics and growth and survival were also evaluated for these species in each location. High variability in water use efficiency (WUE) resulted in greater growth and survival while high specific leaf area (SLA) was associated with lower survival rates. This suggested that plant species might develop the ability to adjust water use efficiency (WUE) to respond to variable water supply and thereby increase survival. Microhabitats with moderate slope (≤ 20%), deep soil (> 20 cm) and concave microtopography increased plant survival and establishment. In water-limited areas the surviving individuals were mostly found in microhabitats that maximized water availability in the soil. To accelerate restoration of tropical dry forests both physiological and microsite traits should be considered in selecting species for restoration projects.