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Resilience of tropical rain forests: tree community reassembly in secondary forests
Author(s) -
Norden Natalia,
Chazdon Robin L.,
Chao Anne,
Jiang YiHuei,
VílchezAlvarado Braulio
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
ecology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.852
H-Index - 265
eISSN - 1461-0248
pISSN - 1461-023X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2009.01292.x
Subject(s) - ecology , secondary forest , generalist and specialist species , forest dynamics , seed dispersal , pioneer species , rainforest , abundance (ecology) , canopy , tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests , old growth forest , geography , ecosystem , forest ecology , biology , biological dispersal , ecological succession , habitat , population , demography , sociology
Understanding the recovery dynamics of ecosystems presents a major challenge in the human‐impacted tropics. We tested whether secondary forests follow equilibrium or non‐equilibrium dynamics by evaluating community reassembly over time, across different successional stages, and among multiple life stages. Based on long‐term and static data from six 1‐ha plots in NE Costa Rica, we show that secondary forests are undergoing reassembly of canopy tree and palm species composition through the successful recruitment of seedlings, saplings, and young trees of mature forest species. Such patterns were observed over time within sites and across successional stages. Floristic reassembly in secondary forests showed a clear convergence with mature forest community composition, supporting an equilibrium model. This resilience stems from three key factors co‐occurring locally: high abundance of generalist species in the regional flora, high levels of seed dispersal, and local presence of old‐growth forest remnants.