Phenology of seasonally dry tropical forest

Abstract

There exists considerable diversity in leaf flushing, leaf-fall, flowering, fruiting and fruit-fall among plant species in a seasonally dry tropical forest. Leaf-fall is initiated with the onset of the post-monsoon, low-temperature dry period, and leaf flushing begins with the rise in temperature and peaks in the hottest and driest period (May) of the year renovating the canopy before the onset of the monsoon. Although flowering is staggered, its peak coincides with the peak in leafing. The fruiting phenology follows closely the flowering phenology. Fruit-fall culminates before or just at the beginning of the monsoon season and thus ensures availability of sufficient moisture to seeds for germination and seedling establishment. The phenological clock of the seasonally dry tropical forest appears to be set during the interphase of winter and summer ensuring full advantage of the short rainy season that follows.