Factors Influencing Tree Phenology in Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire¹

Abstract

Entrained phenology patterns of tropical trees are expected to be sensitive to short‐term fluctuations in typical rainfall and temperature. We examined 47 mo of data on the flowering, fruiting, and new leaf phenology for 797 trees from 38 species in the Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire. We determined the timing of the phenology cycles in relation to seasonal rainfall, temperature, and solar radiation. Regression analysis was used to examine how variations in rainfall and temperature influenced deviations in the peaks and troughs of phenology cycles. We also investigated whether populations that fruit during periods of community‐wide fruit scarcity were those populations with relatively long‐ or short‐fruiting duration. Flower, fruit, and leaf‐flushing phenophases all exhibited 12‐mo cycles. The broad peak in flowering began with the northward zenithal passing in April and ended with the southward zenithal passing in September. Fruiting peaks occurred in the long dry season, and leaf flushing peaked in the long dry season but continued into the wet season. Deviations from phenology cycles were largely attributable to short‐term fluctuations in rainfall and/or temperature. Fruiting durations of species were related to the mean diameter at breast height. Species with long‐ and short‐fruiting durations contributed equally to fruit abundance during periods of community‐wide fruit scarcity.

Impact of Environmental Factors and Altitude on Growth and Reproductive Characteristics of Teak (Tectona grandis Linn. f.) in Southern India

“…This is in concurrence with the findings of Surendra (2013) that leaf initiation was started in March to April before monsoon season in natural teak populations in Karnataka. Similar leaf flushing pattern was observed in montane forests and Tai National Park in Côte d'Ivoire (Anderson et al 2005). It was also found that leaf flushing in teak started earlier in low altitude areas of Nilambur (February) than the high altitude areas of Wayanad (March) and Topslip and Parambikulam (April).…”

Wild chimpanzees plan their breakfast time, type, and location

“…and S.D.B. from April 16, 2009 to August 30, 2011 for continuous periods ranging from 4 to 8 wk, totaling 275 full days, during three fruit-scarce periods (25,26) (Fig. S3A).…”

“…To accomplish this, we recorded and analyzed (i) the nest (sleeping site) departure times and (ii) nest positioning relative to breakfast-site locations of five adult female chimpanzee all with young offspring (<7 y) during three fruit-scarce periods in the Taï National Park, Ivory Coast (25,26).…”

Tree phenology in montane forests of southern Ecuador can be explained by precipitation, radiation and photoperiodic control

“…Temporary redundancy is one of four ecological attributes for the identification of keystone species (Peres 2000). Anderson et al (2005) confirm that unusual fruiting patterns of single species contribute to fruit abundance during periods of community-wide fruit scarcity. Thus, the contrasting phenology of Cupania sp.…”