Tree phenology along a successional gradient of tropical Atlantic Forest

Aims Changes in habitat characteristics and species composition in successional gradients could determine temporal variation in phenology of second-growth forests. We evaluated phenological patterns in tree species occurring in successional forests in southern Brazil, aiming to assess community changes along succession. We tested for general patterns and phenophase seasonality of trees of forests in successional stages and for differences in occurrence, concentration, frequency and duration of phenophases. Methods Vegetative (flushing and leaf-fall) and reproductive (flowering and fruiting) phenophases of 149 individuals of 29 tree species were monitored monthly, for 2 years, in a successional gradient: early- (10 years), mid- (30 years) and late-successional (>80 years) forests in southern Brazil. Important Findings Forests in the successional gradient exhibited shared frequency and duration of phenological phases, probably due to climatic or historical constraints in phenology. However, we found differences in the rate of occurrence and concentration of phenological phases, suggesting that habitat changes caused by succession and species turnover are additional factors affecting phenological patterns in tropical forests.