REGENERATION STRATEGIES OF PALMS (ARECACEAE) IN RESPONSE TO CYCLONIC DISTURBANCES
ABSTRACT: Regeneration
strategies of palms (Arecaceae) in response to cyclonic disturbances.
Reinwardtia 15 (1): 43 − 59. — Tropical cyclones may act as important
ecological drivers in northern Australia including north Queensland, as several
cyclones impact this region each year between November and May. Extensive
research has been conducted to investigate how regeneration of rainforest plant
communities respond to frequent cyclonic disturbances. However, there have been
few such studies on palms although they are important components of many rainforests.
This research aimed to investigate the effects of canopy gaps following cyclonic
disturbance (case study: Cyclone Larry) on regeneration of Arenga australasica
(H. Wendl. & Drude) S. T. Blake ex H. E. Moore, Calamus australis Mart., C.
moti F. M. Bailey, Hydriastele wendlandiana (F. Muell.) H. Wendl. & Drude
and Licuala ramsayi var. ramsayi (F. Muell.) H. Wendl. & Drude. The field
research was carried out at five sites in three areas located in northern
Queensland: Tam O’Shanter/Djiru National Park, Clump Mountain National Park and
Kurrimine Beach Conservation Park. Observations were made of recruitment,
growth rate, leaf turnover and life history. We found that responses of palm
regeneration following cyclonic disturbance varied among study sites; however,
the recruitment of several species was favoured in gaps created by cyclones.
The results also provide information on the various stages in the life cycle of
the study palms.
Author: DIAN LATIFAH, ROBERT
A. CONGDON, JOSEPH A. HOLTUM
Jurnal Code: jpbiologigg160005
