Effects of ENSO and temporal rainfall variation on the dynamics of successional communities in old-field succession of a tropical dry forest.

ABSTRACT: The effects of temporal variation of rainfall on secondary succession of tropical dry ecosystems are poorly understood. We studied effects of inter-seasonal and inter-year rainfall variation on the dynamics of regenerative successional communities of a tropical dry forest in Mexico. We emphasized the effects caused by the severe El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) occurred in 2005. We established permanent plots in sites representing a chronosequence of Pasture (abandoned pastures, 0-1 years fallow age), Early (3-5), Intermediate (8-12), and Old-Growth Forest categories (n = 3 per category). In total, 8210 shrubs and trees 10 to 100-cm height were identified, measured, and monitored over four years. Rates of plant recruitment, growth and mortality, and gain and loss of species were quantif

SUBMITTER: Maza-Villalobos S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3861369 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature