Monthly diameter increment of tree species and related with environmental variables and phenology in a cloud forest, Southeastern Venezuela

Abstract

Diameter, crown area and crown illumination of 33 trees corresponding to 11 species were recorded in a cloud forest. Tree diameter was measured monthly with dendrometers during 26 months, and phenology was documented for 12 months. Soil moisture, air temperature and soil temperature were measured using thermohygrometers. Variation of Monthly Increase of Diameter (IDM) of all species was mainly controlled by the air temperature. Growth of each species responds in two ways: 1) seven species were correlated with water variables, and 2) four species correlated with thermal variables. The seasonal distribution of growth of some species was determined by the phenology. Three groups of species were identified: 1) species with higher IDM and wide and illuminated crowns, 2) species with lower IDM and small and less illuminated crowns, and 3) intermediate condition species. © 2016, Universidad Central de Venezuela. All rights reserved.