Tree seedling development in tropical dry abandoned pasture and secondary forest in Costa Rica

摘要: Development of planted seedlings four canopy tree species in recently abandoned pastures (mown and unmown) ca. 40-yr old secondary dry forest Guana-caste National Park, Costa Rica, was studied from July 1989–June 1992. The were the light-demanding Cedrela odorata Swietenia macrophylla, shade-tolerant Hymenaea courbaril Manilkara chicle. Seedling mortality high primarily correlated with season drought. After first season, M. chicle C. showed < 5 % survival pasture 20 forest, but after 3 yr had decreased to 3% all plots. Survival S. macrophylla highest mown (45 yr) lowest (10 %). For H. courbaril, 40–55 under three conditions. Growth rates low, a height increment 15 cm/yr, possibly due low precipitation 1990 1991. All grew taller than forest. Differences soil depth, texture drainage appeared contribute variation results both within between Herbivory contributed lower forest.