PHENOLOGY OF TREE SPECIES IN A TROPICAL EVERGREEN FOREST OF SOUTHERN INDIA

Tree phenology and seasonality of topical evergreen forest woody stems of 47 tree species (> 30 cm girth at breast height) were identified and tagged with a unique number along a transect of approximately 5 km comprising 177 individuals. Observations were made at monthly intervals from June 2004 to May 2006 for leafing, flowering and fruiting phenophases in various tree species at community level. At community level leaf initiation begins with a major peak in December to January (winter) and a minor peak in April (summer). Leaf expansion in January (winter) to February (summer) and June (rainy). Leaf senescence from August to October (rainy), January (winter) to March (summer) with major and minor peak. Initiation of flower bud during November and January, pollination in December (winter). Fruit bud initiates during January (winter) and April (summer). Ripened fruit from January (winter) – April (summer) and in July (rainy). Fruit falling in June (rainy) and March (summer) with a major and minor peak. Rainfall had significant negative influence on both vegetative and reproductive phenologies. Except for leaf senescence different phenophases of vegetative and reproductive phenologies were significantly seasonal.