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The effects of a hurricane on seedling dynamics and abiotic interactions in a tropical lower montane wet forest

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 November 2013

Denneko Luke ,
Kurt McLaren  and
Byron Wilson
Denneko Luke
Affiliation:
Department of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica
Kurt McLaren*
Affiliation:
Department of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica
Byron Wilson
Affiliation:
Department of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica
*
1Corresponding author. Email: kurt.mclaren@uwimona.edu.jm
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Abstract:

We assessed seedling dynamics and understorey light before and after a hurricane in five randomly selected 5 × 5-m subplots, within 30 permanent sample plots covering a total area of 3750 m2 in a lower montane wet tropical forest, Jamaica over a period of 3 y. Understorey light increased (≈ 60%) following the passage of Hurricane Dean in 2007 but decreased in 2009. Overall, seedling density was positively related to light and survivorship was positively related to both light and density. Mortality was significantly lower and most species recorded their highest growth when the canopy was open (2007–2008). However, lower diversity during this period coincided with higher (average) mortality of uncommon species. The hurricane altered the relative importance of interactions between light, seedling density and dynamics. Consequently, interactions were significant before or 2 y after but not 1 y after the hurricane and their significance varied among the years and species. Periodic changes in the importance of these interactions and the effects of the hurricane were used to separate 12 common species along a continuum of responses, which ranged from positive (lower mortality), neutral to negative (lower growth). Our results indicate that hurricanes have positive and negative effects on seedling dynamics; therefore an increase in the intensity and frequency of hurricanes will likely alter seedling composition, and hence forest structure.

Keywords

Caribbeandensity dependenceJamaicarainfallregenerationtropical rain forestunderstorey light
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 30 , Issue 1 , January 2014 , pp. 55 - 66
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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