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The effects of habitat fragmentation on diverse tropical tree communities are poorly understood. Over a 20‐year period we monitored the density of 52 tree species in nine predominantly successional genera (Annona, Bellucia, Cecropia, Croton, Goupia, Jacaranda, Miconia, Pourouma, Vismia) in fragmented and continuous Amazonian forests. We also evaluated the relative importance of soil, topographic, forest dynamic, and landscape variables in explaining the abundance and species composition of successional trees. Data were collected within 66 permanent 1‐ha plots within a large (∼1000 km²) experimental landscape, with forest fragments ranging from 1 to 100 ha in area.

Prior to forest fragmentation, successional trees were uncommon, typically comprising 2–3% of all trees (≥10 cm diameter at breast height [1.3 m above the ground surface]) in each plot. Following fragmentation, the density and basal …