Seedling ecology in three permanent Caribbean forest plots: St John Forest Dynamics Project: a final report submitted to the National Park Service
Reilly AE. 1991. Seedling ecology in three permanent Caribbean forest plots: St John Forest Dynamics Project: a final report submitted to the National Park Service
Changes in seedling composition and percent cover were investigated for five dominant species in permanent plots located in Virgin Islands National Park during a two year period (1989-1991), which included a hurricane. Seedling densities between years were significantly different at all sites (Bordeaux [upland moist forest] and L'Esperance [gallery moist forest] P < 0.0001, Hawksnest [dry evergreen woodland] P < 0.0004) and increased during the study period. Cover values for seedlings were also significantly different between years at all sites (Bordeaux and L'Esperance P < 0.0001, Hawksnest P < 0.0004). Sapling densities decreased during the study period at all sites but were significantly different only at the L'Esperance site (P < 0.003) while cover values decreased and were not significantly different at any study site. Species net gain for seedlings was 37, 41, and 20 and for saplings was 11, 4, 8 at Bordeaux, L'Esperance and Hawksnest, respectively. Hurricanes appear to be important natural agents that enhance seedling and sapling species diversity in these permanent plots and may in turn effect the future species composition of Caribbean forests.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Reilly, Anne
- Date of Issue
- 1991
- Units
- VIIS
- Keywords
- Hurricanes, Impacts, Percent Cover, Plant Studies, Plots, saplings, Seedlings, St. John US Virgin Islands