Vincent Grégoire auteur aut IRD Harja D. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng Background and Aims Morphogenetic plasticity may be as important as physiological plasticity in determining plant adaptability to changing environmental conditions. This study examines the importance of crown plasticity of trees in stands. Methods A three-dimensional forest simulator is used to explore the impact of crown shape plasticity on tree growth. Crown deformation is mediated through the local response to light and overall allometric constraints governing tree dimensions. By altering shape response parameters of Hevea brasiliensis the impact of increased or decreased plasticity is explored in a variety of competitive environments defined by various combinations of tree density and relative frequency of different strategies. The possible interactions between plasticity and growth rate and plasticity and below-ground competition are also explored. Key Results Crown plasticity confers competitive superiority in all cases studied. Interactions with other processes may downplay or enhance this competitive advantage. Conclusions Simulation results strongly suggest that crown plasticity does have a significant impact on tree performance in nature and that commonly observed crown shape deformation response of trees is of adaptive value. specialized crown plasticity 3D simulation individual based model competition 076 101 8 1221-1231 2008 0305-7364 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/PAR00002417 10.1093/aob/mcm189 0305-7364 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/PAR00002417 IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2008-05-30 2017-08-23 PAR00002417 fre