Seedling survival and growth phenology in a monocarpic tree species, Cerberiopsis candelabra (Apocynaceae)
2025
Salmon, Camille | Heuret, Patrick | Hequet, Vanessa | Isnard, Sandrine | Botanique et Modélisation de l'Architecture des Plantes et des Végétations (UMR AMAP) ; Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (Cirad)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [Occitanie])-Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE)-Université de Montpellier (UM) | Ecologie des forêts de Guyane (UMR ECOFOG) ; Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (Cirad)-AgroParisTech-Université de Guyane (UG)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université des Antilles (UA)-Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE)
International audience
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]英语. Context: Cerberiopsis candelabra Vieill., a species endemic to New Caledonia, is one of the world’s rare monocarpic trees. Juveniles of this species should exhibit high survival and growth rates, a selective advantage of the monocarpic strategy.Aims: We aimed to (1) quantify the survival and growth rates of C. candelabra juveniles over time and (2) Identify morpho-anatomical markers and temporal growth patterns to infer individual past development.Methods: Over 20 months, we monitored the monthly survival of 134 juveniles in a post-disturbance open forest edge. We recorded phytomer production, internode elongation, height growth and leaf area for each juvenile. At the monitoring end, three individuals were finely morpho-anatomically described node by node.Key results: Juvenile survival rate was 67.1%, with a density of over 7.83 individuals per square meter. Monthly mortality rates were higher during the warm-dry transitional season. Juveniles exhibited primary growth rates of up to 6.4 cm per month during the warm-wet season. Primary growth was continuous and secondary growth was seasonal, with visible growth ring boundaries forming during each cool-dry season.Conclusions: High seedling survival and growth rates could explain the ecological dominance of the species in large gaps. Development in C. candelabra is sensitive to New Caledonia’s climate seasonality.Implications: Analysis of annual growth patterns allows for inferring individuals’ past development and provides prospects for investigating ecological characteristics of the species.
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