Phenology of three tree species in an area of semideciduous vegetation in northern Piauí, Brazil

Abstract

Phenology helps explain the dynamics of forest ecosystems and is important for ecological and evolutionary studies of the tropics. Thus, it is necessary to know the frequency of vegetative and reproductive events to understand the intricate dynamics of ecosystems. Between May 2015 and April 2016, for fifteen days of each month, observations were made in an area of semideciduous vegetation in northern Piauí State where Copaifera langsdorffii Desf., Lecythis lurida (Miers) S.A.Mori and Swartzia flaemingii Raddi grow. Leaf fall occurred during the dry season (peak in September), followed by budding at the beginning of the rainy season (peak in April and May). Copaifera langsdorffii and L. lurida flowered from the end of the rainy season to the beginning of the dry season, while S. flaemingii flowered in the rainy season. Copaifera langsdorffii fruited in the dry season, L. lurida fruited from the end of the rainy season to the beginning of the dry season, and S. flaemingii fruited from the end of the rainy season to further into the dry season (compared to L. lurida). The data from this study will contribute to the development of management strategies for the species.

Keywords

• Área de transição
• Floração
• Fatores abióticos
• Frutificação