Effects of soil flooding, sunlight and herbivory on seedlings of Annona glabra and Pachira aquatica in a tropical swamp

摘要: Wetland seedlings, in addition to dealing with the effects of flooding, must gain access sunlight and avoid herbivore damage order establish. Understanding environmental factors on seedling growth how plants modify their functional traits response them, is a challenge wetland ecology. We evaluated different conditions soil flooding (flooded mesic), (closed no canopy) herbivory (presence absence) survival, growth, morphological Annona glabra Pachira aquatica two dominant woody species Neotropical swamps. had eight experimental treatments five replicates each. Our results showed that survival both was high not affected by herbivory. However, these plant rates. In general, highest rates were observed treatment sunlight, mesic exclusion. Both displayed higher leaf biomass allocation under closed than canopy. Furthermore, canopy produced relatively more slender taller stems, which may allow them intercept light efficiently. Also, low belowground flooded soils, probably as consequence anoxic condition. confirmed are important influence patterns A. P. but they do affect survival. This information help resource managers identify high-quality sites deserve be protected. knowledge responses useful restoration programs for tropical swamp forests.