How to Measure Growth Dynamics in Tropical Trees a Review

Abstract

Cambial dormancy and annual rings in tropical trees are induced by annually occurring dry periods or flooding. Growth periodicity is indicated by the leaf fall behaviour and is connected with an annual periodicity of shoot elongation. Changes in stem diameter are measured with a dendrometer or by measurable differences in the electrical resistance of the cambium. Dendrochronological methods applied to carefully prepared samples can serve as proof of the annual periodicity of growth zones. For this purpose the following methods have been used: cambial wounding, radiocarbon dating, pointer year detection and regression analyses of ring width and climate data. Although X-ray densitometry and the analysis of stable isotopes in rings of tropical trees promise to provide interesting climatological information, the use of these methods remains difficult.

Ecological significance of wood anatomy of Alseis pickelii Pilg. & Schmale (Rubiaceae) in a Tropical Dry Forest

“…In the tropics, periods of the drought and rain may produce differential growth, particularly in regions of marked seasonality (Costa et al 2006). This annual dry season, with lower monthly rainfall, may lead to the formation of annual rings in tropical trees (Worbes 1995). The marked seasonality at GES (Silva & Nascimento 2001;Villela et al 2006), likely explains the presence of distinct growth rings in A. pickelii growing there.…”

Anatomia comparada do lenho em raiz e caule de Lippia salviifolia Cham. (Verbenaceae)

“…Segundo Worbes (1995), para espécies de regiões tropicais, uma estação seca com duração de dois a três meses no ano, com precipitação menor que 60 mm é condição ambiental necessária para que as espécies formem camadas de crescimento em seu lenho. O fato da região de estudo apresentar uma estação seca anual com a duração de cinco meses, com precipitação em torno de 38 a 89 mm neste período, pode estar relacionada à formação de camadas de crescimento nesta espécie.…”

Longevity of the Brazilian underground tree Jacaranda decurrens Cham.

“…3,801y, with a standard deviation of 61.6y (Table I). (Worbes 1995). The seasonal climate with fi ve arid months in the study area may be responsible for the growth rings found in Jacaranda decurrens, but further fi eld and wood anatomy studies shall be necessary to demonstrate this.…”