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The Unusual Life History Of Alseis Blackiana: A Shade-Persistent Pioneer Tree?, Jason D. Nason, J. W. Dalling, K. Winter, S. P. Hubbell, D. A. Murawski, J. L. Hamrick

Jason D Nason

Classifications of tree species into regeneration guilds or functional groups are often based on a limited number of life history characteristics indicative of requirements for early establishment, with the assumption that these traits are correlated with growth requirements of larger individuals. We tested the validity of this assumption for Alseis blackiana, a common canopy tree in central Panama, by examining its seed germination, seedling growth, and sapling distribution, growth, and mortality. We found that the early life history of Alseis is characteristic of pioneer species: the seed germination rate was much higher in forest gaps than in the forest understory, …