Adaptive Seedling Strategies in Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests: A Comparative Study of Six Tree Species.

ABSTRACT: This study examines seed germination strategies and seedling establishment in six tree species typical of seasonally dry tropical forests. We focused on how interspecific and intraspecific differences in seed size and germination speed influence biomass allocation and seedling growth. Using generalized linear models, we analyzed the effects of these traits on root/shoot ratios and growth rates. Our findings reveal two main strategies: slow germination, high root/shoot ratio, and low growth rate in Erythrina velutina Willd and Terminalia valverdeae A.H. Gentry, associated with enhanced drought tolerance. In contrast, Cynophalla mollis (Kunth) J. Presl and Coccoloba ruiziana Lindau exhibited rapid germination, lower root/shoot ratios, and low to moderate growth ra

SUBMITTER: Espinosa CI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11510953 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature