Diaspore Traits of 145 Tree Species from a Tropical Seasonal Rainforest in Xishuangbanna, SW China

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1143.2010.10064

Abstract

Abstract:

In this paper, we described fruit and seed traits of 145 tree species from a 20 ha tropical seasonal rainforest dynamics plot. The fruiting of most tree species occurred in rainy season(7103%). Fewer species had fruit in dry season. Flesh fruits, such as drupes, capsules and berries, were very common in the plot and, fruits were mainly black, yellow and brown colored. Most species were animal dispersed(5655%). Species with large seeds(maximum seed length >10 mm)were predominate(5310%), followed by mediumsized seeds(2-10 mm), and small seeds(<2 mm in length). Seed mass varied from 23×105 to 2229 g, the majority of species(7655%) produced seeds with a mass ranged from 001 to 10 g. The mass of seeds collected exhibited a significant seasonal changes. Seeds collected in rainy season were heaver than seeds collected in dry season. Unassisted dispersal species tended to have large seed, and species dispersed by wind tended to have small seeds. A significant positive correlation was found between the seed mass and maximum DBH of the species.

Key words: Fruits, Seeds, Diaspore traits, Tropical seasonal rainforest

CLC Number:

Q 948

YANG Xiao-Fei-, TANG Yong-, CAO Min. Diaspore Traits of 145 Tree Species from a Tropical Seasonal Rainforest in Xishuangbanna, SW China[J]. Plant Diversity, 2010, 32(4): 367-377.

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