Nature and origin of tree and branch fall in the Taï Forest (Ivory Coast)

Tree and branch fall modalities and their underlying causes varied consid erably for canopy trees of different height classes in the tropical rain forest of the Tai National Park.Natural erosion played an important role in the uprooting of lower canopy trees, up to 25 m tall, while slender trees over 25 m tall were liable to be broken in their central stem parts by sudden squalls.Loss of branches occurred in trees which exhibited a high diameter/height ratio and was characteristic for se nescent trees of the upper canopy.