[Litter production and breakdown in swamps dominated by palms (Arecaceae) in northeastern Costa Rica].

In Raffia (Raphia taedigera) palm-swamps, it is frequent to observe high mounds at the base of the palm clumps. These mounds are formed by the accumulation of litter and organic matter, or might result from upturned roots of wind-thrown trees. The mounds serve as anchorage site for the palms, and could be important for the establishment of woody tree species in the swamp.

[Predation, removal and seed dispersal in a wetland dominated by palms (Arecaceae)].

In the Tortuguero floodplains, Costa Rica, a significant number of trees such as Carapa guianensis, Pentaclethra mnacroloba and the palm Manicaria saccifera have floating seeds adapted to hydrocory, while others, such as the almendro Dipteryx oleifera and the raffia palm Raphia taedigera have heavy seeds that do not float. These species have differential distributions, and while C. guianensis, P macroloba and D.

[Seed germination and seedling survival and growth in swamps dominated by palms Raphia tae- digera (Arecaceae) in Tortuguero plains, Costa Rica].

In the marshes dominated by palms, seeds face anaerobic substrates and long flooding periods. Some tree species are capable of growing both in flooded swamps and in areas with lower influence of the flood. I studied the potential settlement of various tree species in different macrohabitats in the Tortuguero floodplain using three experiments: (1) Manicaria saccifera and Raphia taedigera seed germination in palm-swamps and forests of slopes; (2) germination of R.

[Phenology and growth of Raphia taedigera (Arecaceae) in northeastern Costa Rica wetlands].

Here, I describe phenological activity of the raffia palm Raphia taedigera that dominates coastal swamps in northeastern Costa Rica. In this species, reproduction extends through the whole year, and it starts with the emergence and development of new inflorescences through the first month of the cycle. Expanded inflorescences develop into open flowers in a process that extends for three to four weeks to give rise to small fruits that are evidenced a month later.

[Wetlands dominated by palms (Arecaceae), emphasis in those in the New World].

It is well known that most forests in humid tropical lowlands are species rich, and the popular view is that most species are represented by only a few individuals. Despite this common understanding of high richness and low species dominance, within humid tropical regions there are extensive forested ecosystems composed by only few species. These nearly monospecific forests usually occupy poorly drained soils and, except for the mangroves, are quite understudied.