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Tree fruiting phenology in Kalinzu Forest, Uganda
Author(s) -
Muhanguzi Hosea D. R.,
Obua Joseph,
OryemOriga Hannington,
Vetaas Ole R.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
african journal of ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1365-2028
pISSN - 0141-6707
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2028.2003.00431.x
Subject(s) - canopy , understory , phenology , tree canopy , biology , abundance (ecology) , ecology , pioneer species , forestry , geography , ecological succession
The spatial and temporal variations in species composition and abundance of trees that fruited in mechanically logged, intensively pit‐sawn and essentially undisturbed forest areas in Kalinzu Forest (0°17′S, 0°30′S and 30°00′, 30°07′E) were assessed. The duration and frequency of fruiting episodes of selected pioneer, understorey and canopy tree species were also determined. These phenology aspects were monitored for 18 months (between February 1997 and July 1998) in 99 plots, each 20 m × 20 m in size. Eighty species consisting of 1489 trees fruited during the study. Most of the species were recorded in the undisturbed forest area and least in the mechanically logged areas. Monthly number of individuals and species that fruited in each forest condition were significantly related to monthly rainfall. Two pioneer species ( Musanga leo‐errerae and Trema orientalis ), one sub‐canopy ( Funtumia africana ) and canopy ( Parinari excelsa ) species had extended fruiting phases (>5 months). Two understorey species ( Oxyancius speciosus and Tabernaemontana spp.) had an extended phase while the third ( Teclea nobilis ) had a short (≤5 months) fruiting phase. Of the selected species, only Strombosia scheffleri (a sub‐canopy species) and P. excelsa had more than one fruiting episode.