Phenology of a tree community in a cerrado sensu stricto, Barra do Garcas, Mato Grosso state, Brasil

(Phenology of a tree community in a cerrado sensu stricto, Barra do Garcas, Mato Grosso state, Brasil). We observed leaf and reproductive phenology and analyzed the relationship among phenophases and abiotic variables (rainfall, temperature and photoperiod) and investigated the occurrence of seasonality. The local climate is characterized by marked wet (October-April) and dry seasons (May-September). From October 2005 to September 2007, 1221 individuals of 84 species were observed monthly for changes in leaf fall, leaf flush, flowering and fruiting. Deciduous (44%) and brevideciduous (16%) species were predominant in the area. The leaf fall was negatively correlated with rainfall and photoperiod, with mean date in August. Leaf flush was positively correlated with temperature. Flowering and fruiting were observed in both years for 69 species. Flowering occurred mainly at the dry season (July-August) and was inversely correlated with rainfall. The zoochorous species were predominant in the community. Fruiting of anemochorous species was inversely correlated with rainfall. Fruiting of zoochorous species occurred continually throughout the year and was negatively correlated with rainfall and positively with temperature. Our results suggest overall seasonal patterns with peaks of vegetative and reproductive activity occurring between dry and wet seasons. These phenological patterns have been demonstrated to be common in Brazilian savanna, and suggest that the timing of seed dispersal, germination and young seedling development is a major factor responsible for synchronized ripening of fruits at the beginning of the rainy season.