GROWTH ANALYSIS AND SUCCESSIONAL STATUS OF COSTA RICAN RAIN FOREST TREES

SUMMARY The growth of seedlings of six species of tropical trees ranging from pioneer to shade-tolerant canopy species was compared using sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as a reference. Plants were grown in containers in a large clearing in the Atlantic lowlands of Costa Rica. Unit leaf rates of Ochroma lagopus Swartz, a pioneer species, were slightly lower but not significantly different from those of sunflower. With one exception, unit leaf rates increased from late- to earlysuccessional rank. Unit leaf rates of late-successional species were 30 to 40 % of that of sunflower. Relative growth rate, leaf area ratio, specific leaf weight, and root-to-shoot ratios also showed definite trends from early- to late-successional rank. Multivariate analysis of these characteristics supported a priori rankings of these species.