Pieter Zuidema

Publications

• 3.13

  Impact points

  Attaining the canopy in dry and moist tropical forests: strong differences in tree growth trajectories reflect variation in growing conditions.

  Roel J W Brienen, Pieter A Zuidema, Miguel Martínez-Ramos

  Oecologia. 06/2010; 163(2):485-96.

  Availability of light and water differs between tropical moist and dry forests, with typically higher understorey light levels and lower water availability in the latter. Therefore, growth trajectories of juvenile trees--those that have not attained the canopy--are likely governed by temporal fluctu... [more] Availability of light and water differs between tropical moist and dry forests, with typically higher understorey light levels and lower water availability in the latter. Therefore, growth trajectories of juvenile trees--those that have not attained the canopy--are likely governed by temporal fluctuations in light availability in moist forests (suppressions and releases), and by spatial heterogeneity in water availability in dry forests. In this study, we compared juvenile growth trajectories of Cedrela odorata in a dry (Mexico) and a moist forest (Bolivia) using tree rings. We tested the following specific hypotheses: (1) moist forest juveniles show more and longer suppressions, and more and stronger releases; (2) moist forest juveniles exhibit wider variation in canopy accession pattern, i.e. the typical growth trajectory to the canopy; (3) growth variation among dry forest juveniles persists over longer time due to spatial heterogeneity in water availability. As expected, the proportion of suppressed juveniles was higher in moist than in dry forest (72 vs. 17%). Moist forest suppressions also lasted longer (9 vs. 5 years). The proportion of juveniles that experienced releases in moist forest (76%) was higher than in dry forest (41%), and releases in moist forests were much stronger. Trees in the moist forest also had a wider variation in canopy accession patterns compared to the dry forest. Our results also showed that growth variation among juvenile trees persisted over substantially longer periods of time in dry forest (>64 years) compared to moist forest (12 years), most probably because of larger persistent spatial variation in water availability. Our results suggest that periodic increases in light availability are more important for attaining the canopy in moist forests, and that spatial heterogeneity in water availability governs long-term tree growth in dry forests.
• 6.03

  Impact points

  Tropical tree rings reveal preferential survival of fast-growing juveniles and increased juvenile growth rates over time.

  Danaë M A Rozendaal, Roel J W Brienen, Claudia C Soliz-Gamboa, Pieter A Zuidema

  The New phytologist. 12/2009;

  *Long-term juvenile growth patterns of tropical trees were studied to test two hypotheses: fast-growing juvenile trees have a higher chance of reaching the canopy ('juvenile selection effect'); and tree growth has increased over time ('historical growth increase'). *Tree-ring analysi... [more] *Long-term juvenile growth patterns of tropical trees were studied to test two hypotheses: fast-growing juvenile trees have a higher chance of reaching the canopy ('juvenile selection effect'); and tree growth has increased over time ('historical growth increase'). *Tree-ring analysis was applied to test these hypotheses for five tree species from three moist forest sites in Bolivia, using samples from 459 individuals. Basal area increment was calculated from ring widths, for trees < 30 cm in diameter. *For three out of five species, a juvenile selection effect was found in rings formed by small juveniles. Thus, extant adult trees in these species have had higher juvenile growth rates than extant juvenile trees. By contrast, rings formed by somewhat larger juveniles in four species showed the opposite pattern: a historical growth increase. For most size classes of > 10 cm diameter none of the patterns was found. *Fast juvenile growth may be essential to enable tropical trees to reach the forest canopy, especially for small juvenile trees in the dark forest understorey. The historical growth increase requires cautious interpretation, but may be partially attributable to CO(2) fertilization.
• 4.80

  Impact points

  Do Persistently Fast-Growing Juveniles Contribute Disproportionately to Population Growth? A New Analysis Tool for Matrix Models and Its Application to Rainforest Trees.

  Pieter A Zuidema, Roel J W Brienen, Heinjo J During, Burak Güneralp

  The American naturalist. 09/2009;

  Abstract: Plants and animals often exhibit strong and persistent growth variation among individuals within a species. Persistently fast-growing individuals have a higher chance of reaching reproductive size, do so at a younger age, and therefore contribute disproportionately to population growth (la... [more] Abstract: Plants and animals often exhibit strong and persistent growth variation among individuals within a species. Persistently fast-growing individuals have a higher chance of reaching reproductive size, do so at a younger age, and therefore contribute disproportionately to population growth (lambda). Here we introduce a new approach to quantify this "fast-growth effect." We propose using age-size-structured matrix models in which persistently fast and slow growers are distinguished as they occur in relatively young and old age classes for a given size category. Life-cycle pathways involving fast growth can then be identified, and their contribution to lambda is quantified through loop analysis. We applied this approach to an example species, the tropical rainforest tree Cedrela odorata, that shows persistent growth variation among individuals. Loop analysis showed that juvenile trees reaching the 10-cm diameter class at below-median age contributed twice as much to lambda as slow juvenile growers. Fast growth to larger-diameter categories also contributed disproportionately to lambda. The results were robust to changes in parameter values and life-history trade-offs. These results show that the fast-growth effect can be strong in long-lived species. Persistent growth differences among individuals should therefore be accommodated for in demographic models and life-history studies.
• 12.92

  Impact points

  Improved tropical forest management for carbon retention.

  Francis E Putz, Pieter A Zuidema, Michelle A Pinard, Rene G. A Boot, Jeffrey A Sayer, Douglas Sheil, Plinio Sist, Jerome K Vanclay

  PLoS biology. 07/2008; 6(7):e166.
• 4.30

  Impact points

  Testing sustainability by prospective and retrospective demographic analyses: evaluation for palm leaf harvest.

  Pieter A Zuidema, Hans De Kroon, Marinus J A Werger

  Ecological applications : a publication of the Ecological Society of America. 02/2007; 17(1):118-28.

  Harvesting nontimber forest products (NTFPs) is a major economic activity in tropical forests. As many NTFPs are overexploited, sustainability analyses are required to set harvest guidelines. Here we introduce and apply a new approach to evaluating sustainability, which combines prospective (elastic... [more] Harvesting nontimber forest products (NTFPs) is a major economic activity in tropical forests. As many NTFPs are overexploited, sustainability analyses are required to set harvest guidelines. Here we introduce and apply a new approach to evaluating sustainability, which combines prospective (elasticity) and retrospective (Life Table Response Experiments [LTRE]) demographic analyses of matrix population models. We relate the elasticity of vital rates (representing their importance for population growth rate, lamda) to their contribution to harvest-induced change in lamda ("LTRE contribution"). When high-elasticity vital rates have a low LTRE contribution, exploitation is potentially sustainable as negative effects for population growth are buffered. If the reverse is found, there is little scope for sustainability because crucial vital rates are affected. Our approach is less sensitive to chance fluctuations than the commonly used sustainability criterion of lamda = 1.0, as it does not depend on the absolute value of lamda. We applied this analysis to Geonoma deversa, a clustered forest understory palm. We studied three experimentally defoliated and control populations in a Bolivian rainforest during two years. Cutting all leaves of large ramets did not change mortality but strongly affected growth and reproduction. In spite of severe changes in some vital rates, population growth rate was not significantly reduced after defoliation. A literature review revealed that six other understory palms species responded very similarly to defoliation. The combination of LTRE contributions and elasticity analyses showed that low-elasticity vital rates were mainly responsible for the defoliation-induced change in lamda for Geonoma deversa. For two other understory palms (Astrocaryum mexicanum and Chamaedorea radicalis) new demographic analyses yielded very similar results. For Geonoma, the LTRE contribution-elasticity relation strongly changed when we mimicked harvest damage. Adding 5% mortality to defoliated palms caused stronger change in lamda, mainly due to changes in a high-elasticity vital rate (survival). Therefore, harvest practices that involve stem killing are clearly unsustainable. Our results show that commercial leaf cutting in Geonoma deversa is potentially sustainable, and that this is likely the case for understory palms in general. Our approach to evaluating harvest sustainability can be applied to other NTFPs.
• 3.13

  Impact points

  Relating tree growth to rainfall in Bolivian rain forests: a test for six species using tree ring analysis.

  Roel J W Brienen, Pieter A Zuidema

  Oecologia. 12/2005; 146(1):1-12.

  Many tropical regions show one distinct dry season. Often, this seasonality induces cambial dormancy of trees, particularly if these belong to deciduous species. This will often lead to the formation of annual rings. The aim of this study was to determine whether tree species in the Bolivian Amazon ... [more] Many tropical regions show one distinct dry season. Often, this seasonality induces cambial dormancy of trees, particularly if these belong to deciduous species. This will often lead to the formation of annual rings. The aim of this study was to determine whether tree species in the Bolivian Amazon region form annual rings and to study the influence of the total amount and seasonal distribution of rainfall on diameter growth. Ring widths were measured on stem discs of a total of 154 trees belonging to six rain forest species. By correlating ring width and monthly rainfall data we proved the annual character of the tree rings for four of our study species. For two other species the annual character was proved by counting rings on trees of known age and by radiocarbon dating. The results of the climate-growth analysis show a positive relationship between tree growth and rainfall in certain periods of the year, indicating that rainfall plays a major role in tree growth. Three species showed a strong relationship with rainfall at the beginning of the rainy season, while one species is most sensitive to the rainfall at the end of the previous growing season. These results clearly demonstrate that tree ring analysis can be successfully applied in the tropics and that it is a promising method for various research disciplines.
• 29.75

  Impact points

  Demographic threats to the sustainability of Brazil nut exploitation.

  Carlos A Peres, Claudia Baider, Pieter A Zuidema, Lúcia H O Wadt, Karen A Kainer, Daisy A P Gomes-Silva, Rafael P Salomão, Luciana L Simões, Eduardo R N Franciosi, Fernando Cornejo Valverde, Rogério Gribel, Glenn H Shepard, Milton Kanashiro, Peter Coventry, Douglas W Yu, Andrew R Watkinson, Robert P Freckleton

  Science (New York, N.Y.). 01/2004; 302(5653):2112-4.

  A comparative analysis of 23 populations of the Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa) across the Brazilian, Peruvian, and Bolivian Amazon shows that the history and intensity of Brazil nut exploitation are major determinants of population size structure. Populations subjected to persistent levels o... [more] A comparative analysis of 23 populations of the Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa) across the Brazilian, Peruvian, and Bolivian Amazon shows that the history and intensity of Brazil nut exploitation are major determinants of population size structure. Populations subjected to persistent levels of harvest lack juvenile trees less than 60 centimeters in diameter at breast height; only populations with a history of either light or recent exploitation contain large numbers of juvenile trees. A harvesting model confirms that intensive exploitation levels over the past century are such that juvenile recruitment is insufficient to maintain populations over the long term. Without management, intensively harvested populations will succumb to a process of senescence and demographic collapse, threatening this cornerstone of the Amazonian extractive economy.

• A physiological production model for cocoa (Theobroma cacao): model presentation, validation and application

  Pieter A. Zuidema, Peter A. Leffelaar, Wouter Gerritsma, Liesje Mommer, Niels P.R. Anten

  Agricultural Systems.

  In spite of the economic importance and extensive agronomic literature on cocoa, no physiological production model has been developed for cocoa so far. Such a model would be very useful to compare yields in different climates and cropping systems, and to set the agenda for future agronomic research.... [more] In spite of the economic importance and extensive agronomic literature on cocoa, no physiological production model has been developed for cocoa so far. Such a model would be very useful to compare yields in different climates and cropping systems, and to set the agenda for future agronomic research. Here, we present and apply such a physiological growth and production model for cocoa (SUCROS-Cocoa), based on the SUCROS-family of physiological crop growth models. Our model calculates light interception, photosynthesis, maintenance respiration, evapotranspiration, biomass production and bean yield for cocoa trees grown under shade trees. It can cope with both potential and water-limited situations, and is parameterised using existing information on cocoa physiology and morphology. A validation study showed that the model produces realistic output for bean yield, standing biomass, leaf area and size–age relations. Simulations were carried out using climatic information of 30 locations in 10 cocoa-producing countries, three different soil types and varying shade levels.The model was applied to answer four questions that are currently relevant to cocoa production. (1) Which are the most important yield-determining parameters? Sensitivity analyses revealed that these parameters were chiefly related to the morphology of fruits, photosynthesis and maintenance respiration. (2) To what extent can cocoa yield be predicted by rainfall and irradiance data? Regression analyses showed that over 70% of the variation in simulated bean yield could be explained by a combination of annual radiation and rainfall during the two driest months. (3) How large is the cocoa yield gap due to water limitation? Yield gaps were large – up to 50% – for locations with a strong dry season combined with an unfavourable (clayey or sandy) soil. The calculated yield gaps decreased exponentially with the amount of rain during the two driest months. (4) What are the consequences of shading on cocoa yield? Our simulations showed that moderate shade levels hardly affected bean yield, whereas heavy shading (>60%) reduced yields by more than one-third.

• Tropical forest warming: Looking backwards for more insights

  P.A. Zuidema, R.J.W. Brienen, J. Schöngart

  Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 27(4):193-194.

  Export Date: 6 May 2012, Source: Scopus

• Detecting evidence for CO 2 fertilization from tree ring studies: The potential role of sampling biases

  R.J.W. Brienen, E. Gloor, P.A. Zuidema

  Global Biogeochemical Cycles. 26(1).

  Export Date: 6 May 2012, Source: Scopus, Art. No.: GB1025

• Autocorrelated growth of tropical forest trees: Unraveling patterns and quantifying consequences

  R.J.W. Brienen, P.A. Zuidema, H.J. During

  Forest Ecology and Management. 237(1-3):179-190.

  Cited By (since 1996): 19, Export Date: 6 May 2012, Source: Scopus

• Ages and long-term growth patterns of four threatened Vietnamese tree species

  P.A. Zuidema, M. Vlam, P.D. Chien

  Trees - Structure and Function. 25(1):29-38.

  Cited By (since 1996): 3, Export Date: 6 May 2012, Source: Scopus

• Forest fragmentation and biodiversity: The case for intermediate-sized conservation areas

  P.A. Zuidema, J.A. Sayer, W. Dijkman

  Environmental Conservation. 23(4):290-297.

  Cited By (since 1996): 64, Export Date: 6 May 2012, Source: Scopus

• Demography of the Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa) in the Bolivian Amazon: Impact of seed extraction on recruitment and population dynamics

  P.A. Zuidema, R.G.A. Boot

  Journal of Tropical Ecology. 18(1):1-31.

  Cited By (since 1996): 53, Export Date: 6 May 2012, Source: Scopus

• Lifetime growth patterns and ages of Bolivian rain forest trees obtained by tree ring analysis

  R.J.W. Brienen, P.A. Zuidema

  Journal of Ecology. 94(2):481-493.

  Cited By (since 1996): 40, Export Date: 6 May 2012, Source: Scopus

• Incorporating persistent tree growth differences increases estimates of tropical timber yield

  R.J.W. Brienen, P.A. Zuidema

  Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 5(6):302-306.

  Cited By (since 1996): 11, Export Date: 6 May 2012, Source: Scopus

• Ages and long-term growth patterns of four threatened Vietnamese tree species

  P.A. Zuidema, M. Vlam, P.D. Chien

  Trees - Structure and Function. 25(1):29-38.

  Cited By (since 1996): 3, Export Date: 6 May 2012, Source: Scopus

• A physiological production model for cocoa (Theobroma cacao): Model presentation, validation and application

  P.A. Zuidema, P.A. Leffelaar, W. Gerritsma, L. Mommer, N.P.R. Anten

  Agricultural Systems. 84(2):195-225.

  Cited By (since 1996): 18, Export Date: 6 May 2012, Source: Scopus

• Forest fragmentation and biodiversity: The case for intermediate-sized conservation areas

  P.A. Zuidema, J.A. Sayer, W. Dijkman

  Environmental Conservation. 23(4):290-297.

  Cited By (since 1996): 64, Export Date: 6 May 2012, Source: Scopus

• Tree bark as a non-timber forest product: The effect of bark collection on population structure and dynamics of Garcinia lucida Vesque

  N.M. Guedje, P.A. Zuidema, H. During, B. Foahom, J. Lejoly

  Forest Ecology and Management. 240(1-3):1-12.

  Cited By (since 1996): 10, Export Date: 6 May 2012, Source: Scopus