Agathis in Santa Cruz (A. macrophylla) and New Zealand (A. australis) can invade the pioneer stands
of trees which develop after extensive clearance, and eventually grow up as large stands of uniform age.
This is probably the case also in the New Hebrides (A.obtusa) but the evidence is less complete. This is the
nearest Agathis gets to pioneer status (see Whitmore 1975a for a detailed discussion of this ecological
'strategy'). A. dammara in Kalimantan invades pioneer Tristania forest on white sands. Small plants
of A. macrophylla are fast growing, given full overhead light, as is A. obtusa. The latter also continues
to grow fairly fast in shade.