Topic
Eperua
About: Eperua is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 20 publications have been published within this topic receiving 700 citations.
Papers
TL;DR: The results demonstrate that seed size influences performance within and among species in part because of indirect effects of initial seedling size and suggest that traits tightly correlated with seed mass at the species level, such as specific leaf area, leaf longevity and photosynthetic capacity, may also contribute to interspecific performance differences.
Abstract: 1- We examined among- and within-species effects of seed mass for seedling establishment from seed to 5 years of age in a field experiment at Paracou, French Guiana. 2- Six seeds of each of eight species were weighed and planted into each of 120 plots (1 m2) throughout closed-canopy forest along 12 100-m transects in 1998. 3- We described the microhabitat of each planting site using principal components derived from measurements of light availability, soil moisture, carbon and nitrogen content, and soil phosphorus availability. Although both survival and relative growth rate (RGR) increased with increasing light availability, no other microhabitat variable significantly affected seedling performance. Nor did the magnitude of microhabitat effects on survival or RGR differ among species. 4- Larger-seeded species were more likely to survive from germination to 1 year as well as from 1 to 5 years of age. RGR for seedling height during the first year post-germination was not related to seed mass, but smaller-seeded species did grow slightly faster thereafter. Path analyses revealed that correlations between seed mass and performance were explained in part because larger seeds produced larger initial seedlings, which tended to survive better but grow more slowly. 5- We also analysed within-species effects of seed mass for the larger-seeded Eperua grandiflora and Vouacapoua americana (both Caesalpiniaceae). Larger seeds produced larger seedlings in both species, but larger seeds survived better only for Eperua. Larger seedlings grew more slowly in both species, but did not offset the early (Eperua) and later (Vouacapoua) positive direct effects of seed mass on RGR that may represent contrasting strategies for reserve deployment. 6- Our results demonstrate that seed size influences performance within and among species in part because of indirect effects of initial seedling size. However, we suggest that traits tightly correlated with seed mass at the species level, such as specific leaf area, leaf longevity and photosynthetic capacity, may also contribute to interspecific performance differences.
211 citations
TL;DR: A floristic and ecological study of epiphytic bryophytes and lichens on standing mature Eperua trees was carried out in dry evergreen (walaba) forest in Guyana, South America.
Abstract: A floristic and ecological study of epiphytic bryophytes and lichens on standing mature Eperua trees was carried out in dry evergreen (walaba) forest in Guyana, South America. The trees were sampled from their base up to the highest canopy twigs, using mountaineering techniques. Clear vertical distribution patterns of epiphytic species and life-forms were found. Many species, particularly foliose lichens, appear to be preferential or exclusive to either Eperua grandiflora or E. falcata (Leguminosae), which are the dominant trees in the walaba forest. Special attention is given to the species-rich epiphyte vegetation on the upper canopy twigs, which include two categories of species: the sun epiphytes and the pioneers (facultative epiphylls).
196 citations
TL;DR: A suite of traits including high assimilation and high specific leaf area maintains rapid growth rate of faster-growing species across a wide gradient of soil resources, but the lack of plasticity they exhibit may compromise their survival in the poorest soil environments.
Abstract: Although the potential contribution to tropical tree species coexistence of niche differentiation along light gradients has received much attention, the degree to which species perform differentially along soil resource gradients remains unclear. To examine differential growth response to soil resources, we grew seedlings of nine tropical tree species at 6.0% of full sun for 12 mo in a factorial design of two soil types (clay and white sand), two phosphate fertilization treatments (control and addition of 100 mg P kg −1 ) and two watering treatments (field capacity and water limitation to one-third field capacity). Species differed markedly in biomass growth rate, but this hierarchy was almost completely conserved across all eight treatments. All species grew more slowly in sand than clay soils, and no species grew faster with phosphate additions. Only Eperua grandiflora and E. falcata showed significant growth increases in the absence of water limitation. Faster-growing species were characterized by high specific leaf area, high leaf allocation and high net assimilation rate but not lower root allocation. Slower-growing species exhibited greater plasticity in net assimilation rate, suggesting that tolerance of edaphic stress in these species is related more to stomatal control than to whole-plant carbon allocation. Although relative growth rate for biomass was correlated with both its physiological and morphological components, interspecific differences were best explained by differences in net assimilation rate across six of the eight treatments. A suite of traits including high assimilation and high specific leaf area maintains rapid growth rate of faster-growing species across a wide gradient of soil resources, but the lack of plasticity they exhibit may compromise their survival in the poorest soil environments.
64 citations
1 Jan 1991
TL;DR: In this article, the spatial distribution of two species of rain forest trees belonging to the genus Eperua (Caesalpiniaceae) was investigated on the domed bills of precambrian basement rock, locally schistose or migmatic.
Abstract: An attempt is made to assess the relationships between soil conditions and
the spatial distribution of two sympatric species of rain forest trees belonging to
genus Eperua (Caesalpiniaceae). The study was carried out at the Paracou study
site, French Guiana, on the domed bills of precambrian basement rock, locally schistose or migmatic.
The relationships between the distribution of individuals of both species and
soil variables (126 samples) were studied using factor analysis and hierarchical classification.
Eperua falcata is mostly found on hydromorphic or shallow vertically
drained soils, often with a high exchangeable aluminium content. This tree
appears to be weil adapted to unfavourable soil conditions, but it can also be
found in other situations.
Eperua grandiflora is also adapted to shallow soils, but it does not withstand
hydromorphic conditions as weil as E. falcata ; it is also very sensitive to the high
aluminium content of the soil.
The two Eperua species are therefore complementary to one another, except
on shallow soils, thus allowing genus Eperua to fill different edaphic niches
23 citations
1 Jan 1975
TL;DR: Eighteen taxa are considered of which four are described as new: E. duckeana, E .
Abstract: Cowan, Richard S. A Monograph of the Genus Eperua (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae). Smithsonian Contributions to Botany, number 28, 45 pages, 13 figures, 2 tables, 1975.-AIl available data are brought together in a monographic treatment of the legume genus Eperua. Eighteen taxa are considered of which four are described as new: E. duckeana, E . obtusata, E. grandiflora ssp. guyanensis, and E. jenmanii ssp. sandwithii. Also one new combination is made: E . glabriflora (Ducke) Cowan. In addition to gross morphology, anatomy of leaf epidermis and palynology of most of the species are presented for the first time. Pollen morphology is particularly instructive with respect to the classification derived principally from vegetative and floral morphology. OFFICIAL PUBLICATION DATE is handstamped in a limited number of initial copies and is recorded in the Institution’s annual report, Smithsonian Year. SI PRESS NUMBER 5383. SERIES COVER DESIGN: Leaf clearing from the katsura tree Cercidiphyllurn japonicum Siebold and Zuccarini. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data. Cowan, Richard S. A monograph of the genus Epeura (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae) (Smithsonian contributions to botany, no. 28) Bibliography: p. Supt. of Docs. no.: SI 1.29:28 1. Eperua. I. Title. 11. Series: Smithsonian Institution. Smithsonian contributions to botany, no’. 28. QK1.542747 no. 28 [QK495.L52j 581’.08s [583’.323] 75-619031
21 citations
Related Topics (5)
Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |