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Population dynamics of pioneer (Macaranga) trees and understorey (Mallotus) trees (Euphorbiaceae) in primary and selectively logged Bornean rain forests

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Richard B. Primack  and
H. S. Lee
Richard B. Primack
Affiliation:
Biology Department, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
H. S. Lee
Affiliation:
Research Section, Forest Department, Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysia
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Abstract

Using data from forest sites in Sarawak, East Malaysia, a demographic comparison is made of pioneer species in the genus Macaranga with understorey trees of the primary forest in the closely related genus Mallotus. In primary forest, saplings and trees of these genera arc uncommon and have low growth rates. For the six years following disturbance by logging, a Macaranga population was characterized by high rates of diameter growth and recruitment. Eleven years after disturbance, seedling and sapling abundance had declined sharply. In contrast, the Mallotus population was stable in size class distribution and increased slightly in total population size during the 11 years after logging. Growth rates of Mallotus trees increased after logging but were still much less than Macaranga trees.

A morphological comparison shows that most Macaranga species, in contrast with Mallotus species, have large hollow twigs that are occupied by ants and have larger, hairier, thicker, more toothed leaves with longer petioles, axillary inflorescences with more flowers, infructescences with more fruit, fruits that are smaller in size and smaller seeds.

Keywords

BorneodemographydisturbanceloggingMacarangaMalaysiaMallotuspioneerrain forestunderstorey trees
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 7 , Issue 4 , November 1991 , pp. 439 - 457
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

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