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Phenology of five tree species of a tropical dry forest in Yucatan, Mexico: effects of environmental and physiological factors

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Abstract

In order to relate phenological responses of trees to environmental variables we recorded the phenological patterns and select morphological and physiological traits (wood density and water potentials) of five tree species (Acacia gaumeri, Apoplanesia paniculata, Bursera simaruba, Gymnopodium floribundum, and Diospyros cuneata) in the tropical dry deciduous forest of the National Park of Dzibilchaltún, Yucatan, Mexico, over a period of 2 years (2004 and 2005). We chose two sites: one close to a permanent water source, locally known as ‘cenote’ (the CC site, ground water table was found at 2 m) and the other far from the cenote (FC site ground water table was at a depth of 10 m). Sites mainly differed in soil depth (FC site having greater soil depth) and soil nutrient characteristics (FC site more potassium, CC site more phosphorous). Our results indicated significant differences in phenology within species between sites and years, with leaf, flower and fruit production tending to be higher at the CC site and in the year 2004. Wood density and xylem water potentials were negatively related to each other, and midday water potentials were higher at the CC site. Differences in phenology found among years suggest that the timing of rainfall as well as the duration of periods without rain may play a more important role in phenology than total annual precipitation. Also differences inter-sites suggest a strong effect of site on tree phenology. Proximity to superficial bodies of water, such as cenotes, coupled with a greater concentration of available phosphorus in the soil may modify the effect of drought in this tropical dry deciduous forest.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Claudia González, Elizabeth Osorio, Gustavo Vargas, José Luis Simá and Roberth Us-Santamaría for field assistance. We also thank Adrien Le Cossec for helpwith the geophysical techniques, Eduardo Balám for providing the environmental data, and Diana Trejo for advice in the archeological area of Dzibilchaltún National Park. Oscar Briones and three anonymous reviewers provided helpful comments on an earlier version of the manuscript. This research was financially supported by the grant Fondo Sectorial Comisión Nacional Forestal-Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología 9765. M. Valdez-Hernández was the recipient of the fellowship Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología 153017. This material is based upon work partially supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0516387. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unidad de Recursos Naturales, Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, A. C., Calle 43 # 130, Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida, 97200, Yucatán, Mexico

    Mirna Valdez-Hernández & José Luis Andrade

  2. College of Science and Mathematics, Kennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw, GA, 30144-5591, USA

    Paula C. Jackson

  3. Centro para el Estudio del Agua, Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, A. C. Calle 8, No. 39, Mz. 29, S.M. 64., Cancún, 77500, Quintana Roo, Mexico

    Mario Rebolledo-Vieyra

  4. El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Herbarium, Av. Centenario km. 5.5, Chetumal, 77014, Quintana Roo, Mexico

    Mirna Valdez-Hernández

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  1. Mirna Valdez-Hernández
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  2. José Luis Andrade
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  3. Paula C. Jackson
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Correspondence to Mirna Valdez-Hernández.

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Valdez-Hernández, M., Andrade, J.L., Jackson, P.C. et al. Phenology of five tree species of a tropical dry forest in Yucatan, Mexico: effects of environmental and physiological factors. Plant Soil 329, 155–171 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-009-0142-7

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