Factors influencing tree phenology in Tai National Park, Cote d'Ivoire

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 Tai National park, Cote 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 I 2-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 front 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.