| Abstract: | Abstract Three species of Acacia which are used in various forestry systems in Micronesia are the Acacia confusa Merr., A. mangium Willd., and A. auriculiformis Cunn. ex Benth. The responses of these species to limited light have not been established. The objective of this study was to determine the growth responses of these three species to light ranging from 19% to 100% sunlight transmission in order to determine the relative tolerance of these species to shade. Several common adaptations to low light occurred with all three species, such as increased leaf surface area in relation to mass of supportive tissue and reduced leaf mass per unit leaf area. However, other adaptations to low light were not evident. Numerous indicators of growth were decreased at low levels of sunlight transmission. The relative reduction in growth at 19% transmission compared with 100% transmission was similar for each species. The results indicate that these Acacia species exhibit some adaptations to development in limited light, but they are not tolerant of shade. All three species are thus classified as shade avoiders, and have limited application under shaded conditions in any Pacific island forestry system. |
