Forest tree persistence, elephants, and stem scars
| cg.coverage.country | Uganda | |
| cg.coverage.iso3166-alpha2 | UG | |
| cg.coverage.region | Africa | |
| cg.coverage.region | Eastern Africa | |
| cg.identifier.url | https://www.cifor-icraf.org/knowledge/publication/1654 | en |
| cg.issn | 0006-3606 | en |
| cg.journal | Biotropica | en |
| cg.subject.cifor | BIODIVERSITY | en |
| dc.contributor.author | Sheil, Douglas | en |
| dc.contributor.author | Salim, A. | en |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2012-06-04T09:09:07Z | en |
| dc.date.available | 2012-06-04T09:09:07Z | en |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/19089 | |
| dc.title | Forest tree persistence, elephants, and stem scars | en |
| dcterms.abstract | Sixteen percent of tree stems 10 cm diameter or greater recorded in seven 1 ha plots in Rabongo Forest, Uganda had stem damage attributable to elephants (Loxodonta africana). We propose four strategies that may help tree species persist under these conditions: repellence, resistance, tolerance and avoidance. We sought and found evidence for each strategy. Large, shade-tolerant Cynometra alexandri dominated basal area (often >50%) and showed severe scarring. Nearly 80 percent of stems were small pioneer species. Scarring frequency and intensity increased with stem size. Stem-size distributions declined steeply, implying a high mortality to growth rate ratio. Tree species with spiny stems or with known toxic bark defenses were unscarred. Epiphytic figs escaped damage while at small sizes. Mid-successional tree species were scarce and appeared sensitive to elephants. Savanna species were seldom scarred. Taking stem size effects into account by using a per-stem logistic modeling approach, scarring became more probable with slower growth and with increasing species abundance, and also varied with location. Pioneer and shade-bearer guilds showed a deficit of intermediate-sized stems. Evidence that selective elephant damage is responsible for monodominant C. alexandri forests remains equivocal; however, elephants do influence tree diversity, forest structure, and the wider landscape. | en |
| dcterms.bibliographicCitation | Sheil, D., Salim, A. 2004. Forest tree persistence, elephants, and stem scars . Biotropica 36 (4) :505-521. ISSN: 0006-3606. | en |
| dcterms.issued | 2004 | |
| dcterms.language | en | |
| dcterms.subject | succession | en |
| dcterms.subject | rain forests | en |
| dcterms.subject | species richness | en |
| dcterms.subject | damage | en |
| dcterms.subject | cynometra | en |
| dcterms.subject | stems | en |
| dcterms.subject | loxodonta africana | en |
| dcterms.type | Journal Article |