The Phenology of Tropical Forests

Adaptive Significance and Consequences for Primary Consumers

Bibliographic Data

ID23344262
AuthorsC P Van Schaik (0000-0001-5738-4509), John W Terborgh, John Terborgh (0000-0002-8238-4583), Stephen J Wright (0000-0003-4260-5676)
Year1993
Volume24
Issue1
Pages353-377
Publication date1993-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAnnual Review of Ecology and Systematics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0066-4162 • E-ISSN: 2330-1902
PublisherAnnual Reviews (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1146/annurev.es.24.110193.002033
OpenAlexW2177098778
LanguageEN
Citations received103
References cited2

Most tropical woody plants produce new leaves and flowers in bursts rather than continuously, and most tropical forest communities display seasonal variation in the presence of new leaves, flowers, and fruits. This patterning suggests that phenological changes represent adaptations to either biotic or abiotic factors. Biotic factors may select for either a staggering or a clustering of the phenological activity of individual plant species. We review the evidence for several hypotheses. The idea that plant species can reduce predation by synchronizing their phenological activity has the best support. However, because biotic factors are often arbitrary with respect to the timing of these peaks, it is essential also to consider abiotic influences. A review of published studies demonstrates a major role for climate. Peaks in irradiance are accompanied by peaks in flushing and flowering except where water stress makes this impossible. Thus, in seasonally dry forests, many plants concentrate leafing and flowering around the start of the rainy season; they also tend to fruit at the same time, probably to minimize seedling mortality during the subsequent dry season. Phenological variation at the level of the forest community affects primary consumers who respond by dietary switching, seasonal breeding, changes in range use, or migration. During periods of scarcity, certain plant products, keystone resources, act as mainstays of the primary consumer community.

Agroforestry · Biology · Geography · Phenology · Primary (astronomy) · Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests · Tropical climate · Tropical forest · Tropics · Animal and Plant Science Education · Ecology · Forestry · Plant and animal studies · Species Distribution and Climate Change

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub