Abstract:The seedling survival and growth of 21 native tree species were studied by transplanting into two natural forest sites and an open site for approximately 22 months during June-August ]989 and April-October 1991. The results showed that the seedlings of most species had some tolerance to shading and could survive in forests. Only a few species showed extreme tolerance or intolerance to shade. The seedlings of most pioneer species died directly from shading or insect damage and pathogens in forests. The extremely shadeintolerant species in the study were Pinus massoniana, Sapium discolor, and Trema tomentosa.These species with a typical syndrome of pioneer characters do not play an important role in secondary succession in Hong Kong. The major components in current secondary forest,such as Machilus chekiangensis and Gordonia axillaris, have mixed and intermediate characters,which may be an adaptation to the soil degradation caused by centuries of fire and erosion.Bird-dispersed species play an important role in secondary forest of Hong Kong. Research and application of the bird-dispersed woody flora must be enhanced. Some hypotheses on the current floristic succession are briefly discussed.
