The roles of rainfall, soil properties, and species traits in flowering phenology along a savanna-seasonally dry tropical forest gradient

摘要: We investigated flowering phenology in a semiarid macroclimate along an environmental gradient encompassing neotropical savanna, transition, and seasonally dry tropical forest (SDTF) areas the Chapada Diamantina Mountains, northeastern Brazil. expected to find divergence patterns between plant communities studied that would be explained by distinct functional traits selected differences rainfall volumes soil properties. Bud flower productions were monitored 809 individuals January 2010 March 2012. The savanna exhibited continuous pattern, while transition SDTF showed seasonal associated with rainfall. Environmental variables (wood densities, water potentials, storage capacities) related observed strategies of woody species. high diversity groups was determined higher potentials low wood densities availability water. role rainfall, especially during season, is critical defining different at community level. physical properties presence species water-use (low density areas, zone forest), which turn affected their flowering.