architectural traits; central Africa; coexisting tree species; functional traits; life-history strategy; moist tropical forest; tree allometry
Résumé :
[en] 1. Architectural traits that determine the light captured in a given environment are an
important aspect of the life-history strategies of tropical tree species. In this study, we
examined how interspecific variation in architectural traits is related to the functional traits
of 45 coexisting tree species in central Africa.
2. At the tree level, we measured tree diameter, total height and crown dimensions for an
average of 30 trees per species (range 14–72, total 968 trees) distributed over a large range
of diameters (up to 162 cm). Using log-log models, we fitted species-specific allometric
relationships between tree diameter, height and crown dimensions. At the species level, we
derived architectural traits (height and crown dimensions) at 15 cm and maximum diameters
from species-specific allometries. The architectural traits were then related to functional
traits, including light requirements, wood density, leaf habit, and dispersal mode.
3. Among the 45 coexisting tree species, we identified strong variations in height and crown
allometries, along with architectural traits derived from these species-specific allometries.
There was a positive correlation among architectural traits, suggesting that large-statured
canopy species were taller and had larger and deeper crowns than small-statured understory
species at all ontogenic stages. The relationships between architectural and functional traits
highlighted a continuum of species between the large-statured canopy species and the smallstatured
understory species. In this moist and seasonal forest, large-statured canopy species
tended to be light-demanding, wind-dispersed, deciduous and large contributors to forest
biomass (high basal area), while small-statured understory species tended to be shadetolerant,
animal-dispersed, evergreen and most abundant in terms of stem density.
4. Our results highlighted strong architectural differences among coexisting tropical tree
species in central Africa. The relationships between architectural and functional traits
provided insights into the life-history strategy of tropical tree species.
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