Developmental changes in habitat associations of tropical trees

摘要: Summary 1 Recent studies have documented local-scale associations between tree species and topographic edaphic habitat types in forests worldwide. To determine whether such form at early life stages, we compared species’ positive with five (high plateau, low slope, streamside, swamp) two stages for 80 shrub a Panamanian lowland forest. 2 Nineteen significant, were detected the small stage (seedlings saplings ≥ 20 cm tall < 1 cm d.b.h.), 18 large (individuals ≥ 1 cm d.b.h.), according to results of torus-translation randomization tests. The majority did not show consistent stages. Of 30 significantly associated habitat, only same both Overall, more wetter slope stage. 3 For subset species, examined relationship observed seed dispersal seedling establishment patterns by using species-specific kernels predict rain into each habitat. 4 Two-thirds had higher predicted densities relative other types, indicating that limited acts reinforce most species. In contrast, one-third showed evidence rates habitats, an equal number appeared lower trees with. 5 Overall, our indicate typically do Rather, many appear exhibit different ecological preferences across Future should therefore include multiple order detect developmental shifts preferences.