Alves, L.F. & Santos, F.A.M. 1998. Tree allometry and crown shape of four Atlantic rain forest tree species in SE Brazil. Resumos do VII Congresso Latino Americano de Botânica, Cidade do México, México, p. 132.

Abstract: Allometric differences in crown shape and trunk diameter with tree height were analyzed for 4 tree species in an Atlantic rain forest in SE Brazil (44°48’W, 23°22’S). The dimensional relationships of a subcanopy species (Garcinia gardneriana) were contrasted with those of two canopy (Chrysophyllum flexuosum and Swartzia simplex) and one emergent species (Sloanea guianensis). For each tree with dbh >= 1cm in a 1.07 ha sample area, we record dbh, total height, crown area, crown width and crown lenght. Trunk diameter-height regressions were significant for all species. The species conformed to the elastic similarity model, except the emergent one that showed thicker trunks and a scaling exponent conforming to the constant stress model. All measured variables related to crown shape increased significantly with height for all species, but crown shape was not entirely uniform between different sized trees in each species. The allometric relationships for the studied species indicated interspecific variation in trunk diameter and crown shape with height. This variation may be related to demographic features, adult stature and/or different responses to light availability among species.