Dendroecological Studies in the Neotropics: History, Status and Future Challenges

Abstract

We review a vast literature of Neotropical forest science and wood anatomical research that identifies 220 tree species from 46 botanical families with confirmed annual tree-ring formation. External factors that trigger annual growth rhythms include rainfall seasonality, annual long-term flooding (flood-pulse), soil water salinity (mangroves), and, with increasing latitude and altitude, photoperiod and temperature. Maximum ages for tropical angiosperms derived from tree-ring analyses generally do not exceed 400–600 years; however, at marginal sites characterized by extremely limited growth conditions individual trees might get older. Dendroecological applications provide insights into tree species’ ecology and forest dynamics. Analyses of growth trajectories and age-size relationships of trees highlight considerable variability among individual trees, species, and environments. In recent decades tree-ring studies in neotropical forests have contributed new methods to project timber harvests and to evaluate and adjust management practices to increase the sustainability of forest management. The better understanding of individual- and species-level growth patterns in the Neotropics provides necessary empirical information to conserve and manage tropical forests and the many ecosystem functions and services that they maintain.