Resumo

DI STEFANO, José Fco. et al. Potencial invasor de Syzigium jambos (Myrtaceae) en fragmentos boscosos: el caso de Ciudad Colón, Costa Rica. Rev. biol. trop [online]. 1998, vol.46, n.3, pp.567-573. ISSN 0034-7744.

Syzigium jambos is a multiple use species native to Southeast Asia that has been introduced in many countries of the world. Similar to some other exotics, it has the potential to become naturalized and invade natural ecosystems. In Costa Rica, it has been observed in several small preserves. A sample of 48 quadrats of 0.6 m of radius, in one hectare fragment (with a 30 year-old secundary humid Premontane forest) had a density of 4.9 seedlings and 0.16 saplings per m2. Higher densities were observed near the base of the adult trees (N=3) and on the biggest of the trees investigated. Growth rates of the seedlings and saplings was very low: less than 10.5 and 0.25 cm/year in height and basal diameter, respectively. In general, the plants had low levels (<30%) of relative damage by herbivores, and fungi (one identified as a Puccinia psidii Wint.) on their leaves, although a significant increase was detected by the end of the wet season and beginning of the dry season. Small white epiphyllic liquens were abundant on mature leaves. Apparently the species is very flexible as little mechanical damage was observed.

Palavras-chave : Invasion potential; exotic species; damage; tropical forest fragments.