Limitations and Extensionto Tropical Systems

This chapter explores patterns of phenological dynamics in tropical systems, where the availability of time is comparatively unconstrained by abiotic conditions. Although abiotic conditions are conducive to growth and reproduction throughout the year in the tropics, many tropical species exhibit pronounced phenological dynamics that shape and are influenced by their interactions in time with other species. Hence, even though ecological time is abundant in tropical systems, species can still be seen to segregate their phenological activity in time. This is evident in the leaf flushing, flowering, and fruiting activity of many tropical plant species that, while capable of expression of such life history events throughout the year, tend to engage in peaks in such activity that lend structure to the phenological community.