XVI International Botanical Congess

The regeneration capacity of severely reduced R. oleracea populations was studied. Population structure, survivorship,growth and reproductive rates were assessed at four sites. Transition probabilities were calculated, Lefkovitch's matrices constructed and lambda (l) values (intrinsic growth rates) determined.Population structure varied among sites, drier sites having greater proportions in the juvenile classes. Annual seedling mortality ranged from 65% to 99% with mortality highest in wetter months. Height at fruiting varied from 8.7m in less dense sites to 20m in denser sites. Fecundity was highest in the middle reproductive height classes and lower in early and later classes. Lambda values ranged from 1.02 to 1.113, populations at drier sites having the higher values. These results suggest that inundated sites are the most in need of conservation.