Editing Cecropia (section)

===Pioneer species===
''Cecropia'' is a major pioneer tree genus in regions of the Neotropics with wet lowland and montane forest.<ref name="BRD"/> These trees are characteristic features of many American [[tropical rainforest]] ecosystems and may be among the dominant tree species in some places. Being aggressive, rapid-growth trees, whose [[succulent]] fruits are readily sought by various animals, they tend to be among the first [[pioneer species]] to occupy former forest areas cleared for pasture or altered by human activity.<ref name= "BI">Backes & Irgang (2004), pg.168</ref> ''C. hololeuca'', known in Brazil as "silver cecropia", has broad, silver-hued leaves that make it desirable as an ornamental plant for [[landscaping]] projects, as is the case with the similar species ''C. pachystachya''.<ref>Backes & Irgang (2004), pgs.170 & 171</ref> Greenhouse experiments have been performed with some species of ''Cecropia'' indicating them as “gap” and “pioneer” species under different light regimens and nutrient treatments.<ref name="BRD"/> Some species (''C. maxima'', ''C. tacuna'', ''C. telealba'', and ''C. telenitida'') do not show the traits of pioneer species, though, as they occur evenly in the forest.<ref name="BRD"/> The pioneer ''Cecropia'' species have a higher demand for light, occur in open habitats, relatively rapid growth rates, and short-lived leaves.<ref name="BRD"/> According to McKey's theory, these pioneer species tend to invest more heavily in pearl bodies and less heavily in Mullerian bodies than more shade-tolerant species with slower intrinsic growth rates and longer leaf lifespans.<ref name="BRD"/> In the small light gaps (which are more shaded than normal), the most distinctive myrmecophytic ''Cecropia'' spp, are found.<ref name="BRD"/>