The importance of comparative growth rates in determining the canopy composition of Tasmanian rainforest

摘要: Growth rates of the rainforest canopy species Atherosperma moschatum Labill., Eucryphia lucida (Labill.) Baill., Nothofagus cunninghamii (Hook.) Oerst., Athrotaxis selaginoides D.Don and Phyllocladus aspleniifolius H0ok.f. were measured in naturally-occurring seedlings grown glasshouse pot trials. The highest field growth recorded N. on lowland sites fertile, well-drained soils. On poorer soils, lower there was little difference between species. most acidic probably infertile soil, rate P. 1.4 times higher than that cunninghamii, although not significantly different at 95% level. Similar trends High E. with generally A. moschatum, selaginoides. No significant among lucida, when poor soils or low nutrient treatments. comparative correlate composition study sites. dominates forest stands where it has a clearly superior compared co-occurring light-demanding Mixed canopies occur is no species' rates. However, all patterns dominance can be explained by alone. For example, commonly to mid-altitude are very low, but without necessarily results studies integrated some other aspects biology these discussion mechanisms determining Tasmanian rainforests.