Succession in the Elfin Woodland of the Luquillo Mountains of Puerto Rico

Twenty tree species were observed growing on a plane wreck site in elfin woodland 18.5 yr after the crash. About three-quarters of 1172 arborescent stems were elfin forest primary species. Total aboveground biomass averaged 776 g/m2 and was classified thus: 30 percent arborescent dicots; 13 percent palms; 31 percent ferns; and 26 percent grasses and herbs. Total aboveground biomass recovery after 18.5 yr appeared linear, and, at the observed rate, it would require nearly two centuries for the site to return to its original biomass.