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Hanya G & Aiba S (2011) Annual periodicity in fruiting in temperate forests in Yakushima, Japan. Forestry Studies in China.13: 112-122.

Abstract
Fruiting phenology, assessed by seed fall, in five warm- and cool-temperate forests on Yakushima, an island in southern Japan, were studied for 2 years in one plot of 50 m*50 m and 4 years in four plots of 100 m* 50 m. The elevations of the plots ranged 170-1200 m a.s.l. Seed fall phenology showed annual periodicity in all of the plots. This was clear when assessed by the number of species but became less clear when assessed by the biomass of seed fall. Community-level annual periodicity was based on the prevalence of population-level annual periodicity and interspecific synchronization of the fruiting peak from autumn to winter. Fleshy fruits had peaks of seed fall in a wider range of months than non-fleshy fruits, since it is sometimes beneficial to bear fruit out of community-level fruiting peaks in order to avoid interspecific competition for animal dispersers. No consistent effect of climatic factors on seed fall phenology was detected.
Key words: fleshy fruits; fruit; frugivore; phenology; temperate forest

<Written by: Goro Hanya (hanya.goro.5z<atmark>kyoto-u.ac.jp)>
<Contact: Goro Hanya (hanya.goro.5z<atmark>kyoto-u.ac.jp)>
<Last update: May 23, 2011>