This work compared two methods of plant phenological evaluation along with their graphical representation. The study was conducted at the Nucleo Picinguaba, Ubatuba, Sao Paulo State (23o22' S and 44o48' W), Brazil, in three Atlantic forest types: coastalplain, lowland, and premontane forest. Observations on flowering, fruiting, leaf fall and leaf flushing tree phenology were carried out monthly from November/1994 to April/1996. We compared i) the Fournier's percent index of intensity - the intensity of phenological events was estimated according to an interval scale varying from 0 to 4, with a 25% interval between classes; and ii) index of activity or percent of individuals. The index of activity and the Fournier's percent index of intensity provided distinct and complementary information, optimizing the data collection and making the analysis and interpretation of phenological patterns more simple and straightforward. We suggest the combined use of the two methods in the estimation and representation of species-level phenological data, and the proper differentiation between peak of activity and peak of intensity.

http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rbb/v25n3/a03v25n3.pdf

Comparação de dois métodos de avaliação da fenologia de plantas, sua interpretação e representação

The research field of plant phenology, which often involves the monitoring of several to hundreds of species of different life forms and/or different vegetation types, has increased exponentially over the last three decades. This has occurred in general, without consideration of the comparability of data and patterns across areas, and its influence on the interpretation of resultant patterns. In this chapter we address the influence of sampling method, sample size and the frequency of observations on the analysis of tropical tree phenology . Our approach is to compare the results of direct observations on transects with those obtained from litter traps. Transects and litter traps are the two most common methods used to sample and monitor plant phenology. Data from 3 locations were used to simulate different sample sizes and frequencies, and results were then compared with the original data. We conclude that sample size influences the patterns observed and there is a clear trade off between sample size and the frequency of observations. We show that direct observations were more accurate in defining both the beginning and the peak of phenological phases, and there was a significant difference between the peaks and seasonal patterns detected by both sampling methods. For tropical tree forest applications we recommend a minimum sample size of 15 trees and that a fortnightly frequency of observation be used especially if the sample size is small. We advocate the combination of presence/absence data and a quantification method to estimate plant phenology, a careful application of indices and a cautious generalization of pattern.

The Influence of Sampling Method, Sample Size, and Frequency of Observations on Plant Phenological Patterns and Interpretation in Tropical Forest Trees

Fruiting phenology of palms and trees in an Atlantic rainforest land-bridge island.

Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae) e uma especie dioica, nativa do Brasil, com ampla distribuicao geografica e grande plasticidade ecologica. Este estudo foi realizado em Florianopolis — SC, em Area de restinga, durante os meses de setembro de 2002 a maio de 2003. Foram realizadas analises morfologicas da flor de individuos de ambos os sexos, medidas do comprimento e largura das inflorescencias, contagem do numero de inflorescencias por ramo e de flores por inflorescencia, bem como, o numero de flores abertas ao dia, para se detectar um provavel dimorfismo reprodutivo. Os resultados obtidos no presente estudo demonstram que as plantas estudadas apresentam flores diclinas, dependentes basicamente de insetos para o transporte de polen. A antese ocorre sempre pela manha e a flor masculina possui duracao de apenas 12 horas, enquanto que a feminina permanece receptiva por um periodo de ate 32 horas. No 12 periodo reprodutivo (primavera), apenas 22% das plantas floresceram. Ja no 2Q periodo (verao/outono) 100% dos individuos floresceram. As plantas apresentam dimorfismo sexual, manifestado entre o comprimento (t= -12,75; p< 0,5) e a largura (t= -11,78; p< 0,5) das inflorescencias. Entretanto, as semelhancas entre as suas flores, somada sincronia da fenofase reprodutiva, da antese e da oferta de recursos troficos, em ambos os sexos, parece estar atenuando as diferencas e possivelmente favorecendo o seu sucesso reprodutivo atraves da atracao dos visitantes florais ate ambas as flores.

https://periodicos.ufsc.br/index.php/biotemas/article/download/23249/20970

Fenologia reprodutiva, morfologia e biologia floral de Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae), em restinga da Ilha de Santa Catarina, Brasil

The knowledge of the phenology patterns and of the floral biology, the determination of the role of the vectors of pollen flow, besides the understanding of the reproductive system, are fundamental points for the understanding of the reproductive biology of the species. The pollination ecology, reproductive system, flowering phenology and floral visitors of Byrsonima umbellata Mart. and B. rotunda Griseb. were studied in a Cerrado area, at Urbano Santos municipality, Maranhao State. B. umbellata presented extended flowering period (eight months) and B. rotunda showed brief flowering period (one month). The species had hermaphroditic flowers with diurnal anthesis. B. umbellata is facultatively self-incompatible, showing higher fruit production through cross-pollinators (46.6%), and B. rotunda is mainly self-compatible, with fruit production in all treatments, even through agamospermy (60%), although higher production was achieved in geitonogamy (90%). We observed 42 and 16 species of bees in B. umbellata and B. rotunda flowers, respectively. Centris aenea and C. (Trachina) sp.n. were considered the main pollinators of B. umbellata flowers and C. aenea of B. rotunda. Both Byrsonima species present important ecological function, representing important resources to several species of bees during flowering season deficit in the studied environment.

/pdf/fenologia-e-biologia-reprodutiva-de-duas-especies-de-1az87by2ud.pdf

Fenologia e biologia reprodutiva de duas espécies de Byrsonima Rich. (Malpighiaceae) em área de Cerrado no Nordeste do Brasil

A study was carried out to compare the phenological patterns of nine tree species from three contiguous Atlantic forest types: "restinga" forest, coastal-plain forest and Atlantic (premontane) rain forest. The study was conducted at Nucleo Picinguaba, Ubatuba Municipality, Sao Paulo State (23o22' S and 44o48' W), Brazil, from November/1994 to April/1996. The intensity of phenological events was estimated for each tree according to a scale ranging from 0 to 4, with a 25% interval between the classes. The species presented the same phenological patterns across the forest types in the study area, except for two species (Guatteria australis St.-Hill. and Didymopanax calvum Decne. & Planch.). The heterogeneity of individual patterns exhibited by these species may be related to structural differences among the forest types, such as canopy height and soil humidity.

https://www.scielo.br/pdf/rbb/v25n2/11459.pdf

Cinara S.C. Bencke

Papers

Comparação de dois métodos de avaliação da fenologia de plantas, sua interpretação e representação

Estudo comparativo da fenologia de nove espécies arbóreas em três tipos de floresta atlântica no sudeste do Brasil