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Tree Phenology in Amazonian Floodplain Forests

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Amazonian Floodplain Forests

Part of the book series: Ecological Studies ((ECOLSTUD,volume 210))

Abstract

The flood pulse operates as a regulator for the timing of phenological events, the phenology of Amazonian floodplain tree species is linked to the seasonal water-level changes. Many tree species shed and resprout leaves during the high-water season. Flowering and fruiting reach their peaks during the aquatic phase. However, with the present knowledge, there is still a discussion about the possible triggers which are responsible for these phenological events. Long-term studies of several years are lacking, and the results presented by various authors are not directly comparable. Inter- and intraspecific variations at all levels along the flood gradient, and between várzea and igapó, are frequent. Many Amazonian floodplain tree species occur in non-flooded ecosystems where phenology is triggered by precipitation, drought, solar irradiance, and temperature. It is possible that these factors act also in the floodplains, but the extent is not clear.

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Parolin, P., Wittmann, F. (2010). Tree Phenology in Amazonian Floodplain Forests. In: Junk, W., Piedade, M., Wittmann, F., Schöngart, J., Parolin, P. (eds) Amazonian Floodplain Forests. Ecological Studies, vol 210. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8725-6_5

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