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Spatial distribution, fruit production and seed removal of a rare, dioecious canopy tree species (Aglaia aff. flavida Merr. et Perr.) in Papua New Guinea

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Andrew L. Mack
Andrew L. Mack
Affiliation:
University of Miami, Department of Biology, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA
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Abstract

All mature individuals of Aglaia aff. flavida (Meliaceae) were mapped in a 260 ha study area at the Crater Mountain Biological Research Station in Papua New Guinea. Sixty-four reproductively mature trees were found in an aggregated distribution with a mean inter-tree distance of 88.9 m. The sample consisted of 35 female and 29 male trees with a mean shortest distance between sexes of 232 m. Seed production and seed removal of 22 female trees was monitored throughout the 1992 fruiting season. Female trees with in 200 m of male trees generally produced large seeds crops (> 100 seeds) whereas trees farther than 200 m from the nearest male had small seed crops (< 100 seeds) regardless of female size (DBH). Most seeds (63.2%, n = 3312) produced in a sub-sample of 22 trees came from the five most fecund trees, which also produced 74.1% of the seeds that were removed by vertebrate dispersers. Where a minority of a population of rare tropical trees produce the majority of progeny, sustainable harvest practices would be most effective where highly fecund individuals are identified and conserved.

Keywords

cassowaryconservationdioecyMeliaceaePapua New Guineaseed dispersaltropical rainforest
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 13 , Issue 3 , May 1997 , pp. 305 - 316
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1997

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