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The phenology of tropical forests: Adaptive significance and consequences for primary consumers

Publication ,  Journal Article
Van Schaik, CP; Terborgh, JW; Wright, SJ
Published in: Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics
January 1, 1993

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.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics

DOI

ISSN

0066-4162

Publication Date

January 1, 1993

Volume

24

Issue

1

Start / End Page

353 / 377

Related Subject Headings

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • 41 Environmental sciences
  • 31 Biological sciences
  • 30 Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences
  • 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
  • 05 Environmental Sciences
 

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Van Schaik, C. P., Terborgh, J. W., & Wright, S. J. (1993). The phenology of tropical forests: Adaptive significance and consequences for primary consumers. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 24(1), 353–377. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.es.24.110193.002033
Van Schaik, C. P., J. W. Terborgh, and S. J. Wright. “The phenology of tropical forests: Adaptive significance and consequences for primary consumers.” Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 24, no. 1 (January 1, 1993): 353–77. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.es.24.110193.002033.
Van Schaik CP, Terborgh JW, Wright SJ. The phenology of tropical forests: Adaptive significance and consequences for primary consumers. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics. 1993 Jan 1;24(1):353–77.
Van Schaik, C. P., et al. “The phenology of tropical forests: Adaptive significance and consequences for primary consumers.” Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, vol. 24, no. 1, Jan. 1993, pp. 353–77. Scopus, doi:10.1146/annurev.es.24.110193.002033.
Van Schaik CP, Terborgh JW, Wright SJ. The phenology of tropical forests: Adaptive significance and consequences for primary consumers. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics. 1993 Jan 1;24(1):353–377.

Published In

Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics

DOI

ISSN

0066-4162

Publication Date

January 1, 1993

Volume

24

Issue

1

Start / End Page

353 / 377

Related Subject Headings

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • 41 Environmental sciences
  • 31 Biological sciences
  • 30 Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences
  • 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
  • 05 Environmental Sciences