The function of stilt roots in the growth strategy of Socratea exorrhiza (Arecaceae) at two neotropical sites

Goldsmith, Gregory R.; Zahawi, Rakan A.

dc.creator	Goldsmith, Gregory R.
dc.creator	Zahawi, Rakan A.
dc.date	2007-05-08
dc.date.accessioned	2016-05-03T15:33:16Z
dc.date.available	2016-05-03T15:33:16Z
dc.identifier	http://revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/rbt/article/view/5955
dc.identifier	10.15517/rbt.v55i3-4.5955
dc.identifier.uri	https://hdl.handle.net/10669/27443
dc.description	Arboreal palms have developed a variety of structural root modifications and systems to adapt to the harsh abiotic conditions of tropical rain forests. Stilt roots have been proposed to serve a number of functions including the facilitation of rapid vertical growth to the canopy and enhanced mechanical stability. To examine whether stilt roots provide these functions, we compared stilt root characteristics of the neotropical palm tree Socratea exorrhiza on sloped ( > 20°) and flat locations at two lowland neotropical sites. S. exorrhiza (n=80 trees) did not demonstrate differences in number of roots, vertical stilt root height, root cone circumference, root cone volume, or location of roots as related to slope. However, we found positive relationships between allocation to vertical growth and stilt root architecture including root cone circumference, number of roots, and root cone volume. Accordingly, stilt roots may allow S. exorrhiza to increase height and maintain mechanical stability without having to concurrently invest in increased stem diameter and underground root structure. This strategy likely increases the species ability to rapidly exploit light gaps as compared to non-stilt root palms and may also enhance survival as mature trees approach the theoretical limits of their mechanical stability.	en-US
dc.format	application/pdf
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Universidad de Costa Rica	en-US
dc.rights	Copyright (c) 2014 International Journal of Tropical Biology and Conservation	en-US
dc.source	Revista de Biología Tropical/International Journal of Tropical Biology and Conservation; Vol. 55 (3-4) September-December 2007	en-US
dc.source	Revista de Biología Tropical/International Journal of Tropical Biology and Conservation; Vol. 55 (3-4) September-December 2007	es-ES
dc.source	Revista Biología Tropical; Vol. 55 (3-4) September-December 2007	pt-PT
dc.source	2215-2075
dc.source	0034-7744
dc.source	10.15517/rbt.v55i3-4
dc.title	The function of stilt roots in the growth strategy of Socratea exorrhiza (Arecaceae) at two neotropical sites	en-US
dc.title	The function of stilt roots in the growth strategy of Socratea exorrhiza (Arecaceae) at two neotropical sites	es-ES
dc.type	artículo original
dc.coverage	CRC	en-US

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