The Ecophysiology of Pioneer Tree Species in Relation to their Disturbance Ecology in a Wet Lowland Rainforest, Sri Lanka

Background

This dissertation evaluates pioneers species and their response to light availability and disturbance characteristics in the Shorea-Mesua vegetation type (an aseasonal, mixed dipterocarp forest) around the Sinharaja World Heritage Forest Reserve in southwest Sri Lanka.

Research Goals & Methods

The goal of the study was to test if co-occurring pioneer species differentiated in relation to light availability and disturbance characteristics. The autho conducted three experiments, including observations, experimental plantings in the field and controlled shade house experiments, each of which produced different but complimentary results.

Conclusions & Takeaways

The results of the studies showed progressively more refined differences among the pioneer species in their response to the disturbance condition broadly and to their canopy openness condition more specifically. The findings are highly useful and have significant implications for developing more sophisticated models for forest restoration and reforestation in the future since it identifies appropriate species that can be planted in gap environments.