| Summary: | Predictions of microsite requirements for seven common Afromontane forest tree species were made by testing above ground relative growth rate (RGR) and photosynthetic response of seedlings of the respective species under different light intensities. Virgilia oroboides and Halleria lucida, with either a very high photosynthetic rate or RGR, were regarded to be pioneer species. Podocarpus latifolius was regarded to be a deep shaded species due to its low photosynthetic and RGR's. Rapanea melanophloeos, Ilex mitis, Olea capensis sub Ssp. macrocarpa and Kiggelaria africana either had moderately high RGR or photosynthetic rate and were regarded to be light shaded species. Predictions were tested in Grootvadersbosch (34ᵒ05's,20ᵒ50'E) forest, where frequency of seedlings beneath the canopy and under a canopy gap were recorded and tested using a x²-goodness of fit test, against the null hypothesis that there are equal frequencies of seedlings beneath the canopy and canopy gaps. Results confirmed predictions made for latifolius, O. capensis sub sp. macrocarpa, and R. melanophloeos. Low seedling frequencies for the other species, either due to a restricted distribution of adult trees (e.g. V. oroboides) or high levels of herbivore attack, made it difficult to test predictions. Significantly higher frequencies of seedlings of P. latifolius and O. capensis sub sp. macrocarpa beneath the canopy than in the gap of dry forest suggest that gaps in drier forests are stressful sites for regeneration. This led to the hypothesis of expecting a greater dominance of shade tolerant species in the canopy of dry forests than in moist forests. McKenzie's (1978) findings support this hypothesis. It was concluded that Afromontane forests are largely made up of deep or light shaded tree species, with pioneer species confined to forest margins. The role of canopy gaps can be seen to play a minor role promoting regeneration.
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