Preliminary analysis of functional traits in cloud forest tree seedlings

Author

• Tarin Toledo-AcevesEmail author
• Fabiola López-Barrera 
• Víctor Vásquez-Reyes

1. 1.

Original Article

First Online: 

04 April 2017

DOI: 10.1007/s00468-017-1543-5

Cite this article as:

Toledo-Aceves, T., López-Barrera, F. & Vásquez-Reyes, V. Trees (2017). doi:10.1007/s00468-017-1543-5

Abstract

Key message

Specific leaf area was the functional attribute of cloud forest tree seedlings that was most responsive to different light environments and was useful for distinguishing between two functional groups.

Abstract

Cloud forests (CF) are highly diverse and severely threatened by deforestation, degradation, and climate change. Seedling transplantation of threatened and valuable tree species is a strategic technique that contributes to CF restoration; however, there is limited basic information regarding tree species functional traits and the microhabitat requirements for their reintroduction. Analysis of seedling functional traits could provide useful information to define functional groups and determine the potential of tree species to restore CF. We carried out a preliminary characterization of tree seedling functional traits in ten valuable CF species under a controlled environment. Six to nine months after germination, 50 seedlings per species were exposed to two light regimes (80 and 30% shade) and their growth, biomass allocation, and morphological responses were evaluated. After 9 months, most of the growth and biomass allocation parameters showed no significant differences between light regimes within species. However, specific leaf area (SLA) displayed significant differences between light regimes and also explained most of the variation among species. Based on a Principal Components Analysis, two main groups were identified: (1) Low SLA: Quercus germana, Quercussartorii, Sideroxylon contrerasii, Oreomunnea mexicana, and Ocotea disjuncta, and (2) high SLA: Ulmus mexicana, Liquidambar styraciflua, Meliosma alba, Magnolia dealbata, and Fraxinus uhdei. The suitability of functional groups and species in terms of the restoration of disturbed scenarios is discussed.

Keywords

Functional guild Growth rate Light Specific leaf area Shade tolerance Tropical montane cloud forest 

Communicated by A. Braeuning.

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