Light Requirements of Acacia smallii and Celtis laevigata in Relation to Secondary Succession on Floodplains of South Texas

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Abstract
Acacia smallii, a legume, is a pioneer woody species in secondary succession of floodplain forsts of S Texas, where Celtis laevigata is the climax forst dominant. Variable light regimes, under greenhouse conditions, showed that A. smallii had its maximum growth in the highest irradiance and decreased growth occurred with decreased irradiance. Celtis laevigata showed no significant differences in growth between the two highest irradiances used. Interspecific comparisons based on percent of maximumg growth indicated C. laevigata had a significantly higher percentage of maximum growth in lower light treatments, whereas A. smallii had a significantly higher percentage of maximum growth in the highest light treatment. Acacia smallii is a heliophyte, while C. laevigata is a sciophyte. Loss of A. Smallii in mature communities is probably due to inability of its seedlings to survive in the shaded environment of a mature forest community.