Figure 19.11 Trade-offs between seed mass and seedling mortality under high-shade conditions. Species with large seeds, which are common in late-succession forests, produce seedlings that survive well in high shade. Species with small seeds, which are common in early-succession forests, produce seedlings that have a poor survival rate in high shade.

Data from J. P. Grime and D. W. Jeffrey, Seedling establishment in vertical gradients of sunlight, Journal of Ecology 53 (1965): 621–642.