The growth response of seedlings of three woody species from the Tropical Atlantic rain forest to changing light conditions was studied. The species were the early successional Cecropia glazioui Sneth., the intermediary in succession Cedrela fissilis Vell. and the late successional Bathysa australis (A. St.-Hil.) Hook. ex Sch. These species showed, within the range of light gradient, plasticity to increase light interception at lower light levels (through increasing leaf area ratio - LAR, and decreasing root/shoot ratio - R/SH); and plasticity to increase carbon gain and decreasing transpiration at high light levels (through increasing stomatal density and R/SH, and decreasing LAR). Species responses to irradiance varied with position along the light gradient. Plants at the lower end of the light gradient were more responsive than plants at the higher end of the light gradient. C. glazioui seemed to be more plastic than C. fissilis to alter several features. The behavior showed by the three species in response to changing light was consistent with their environmental occurrence.
Atlantic rainforest; growth; light; seedlings; tropical trees
