Tropical rain forest is described as a mosaic of ecologically uniform patches. A method is proposed to recognize and inventory the patches and to draw mosaic maps, based on the size and architecture of canopy trees. Mosaic maps from three different forest localities in Indonesia are compared in terms of the relative area occupied by each kind of patch, and the surface range and number of constituent patches. The comparison shows that the mosaic patterns are specific to the sites and can be used for the characterization of patch dynamics in different forest types. Possible implications for forest management are discussed in the light of the mosaic maps.

This study provides a community-level analysis of how regeneration requirement and adult stature are related to tree allometry (diameter, height and crown size) throughout post-seedling ontogeny on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Comparing 65 species, gap species are taller, have higher diameter growth rates and occupy more low-canopy sites (≤10 m canopy height) than shade species at small diameters (≤10 cm dbh). For trees >10 cm dbh, diameter-height relationships and growth rates no longer differ between gap and shade species, but shade species have larger, particularly deeper, crowns than gap species. Species with tall adult stature have more slender stems with larger crowns compared with treelet and mid-canopy species starting at 5 cm dbh. From 10 to 40 cm dbh, diameter growth rate is also significantly greater for tall species. The consistent allometric differences between functional groups on a community level will, in part, determine vertical and horizontal stand structure.