Flowering and Fruiting Periodicity in a Premontane Rain Forest in Pacific Colombia

Abstract

The timing and levels of flowering and fruiting were studied in a premontane rain forest in western Colombia. Flower production is less seasonal than fruit production, and periods of peak fruiting do not always closely follow the periods of higher flowering activity. Fruit production is more equitably distributed through the year than in seasonal tropical environments, but there are two small fruiting peaks that center on the wetter portions of the year. Proportionally fewer canopy species than understory species produce bird-dispersed fruits, and almost all understory trees produce this type of fruit. Species of Miconia fruit sequentially through the year, but the total number of individuals in fruit varies seasonally. This variation is apparently offset by an increase in fruiting activity of other trees as there is no marked seasonal depression in the availability of fruit for birds.