An investigation into the effects of deforestation and habitat fragmentation on a central Amazonian frog community was carried out on the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project, (BDFFP) based in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. Three aspects of deforestation were investigated: the effects of fragmentation and reserve size, the influence of matrix habitat and the effects offorest edge on frogs in 10- hectare isolates. Very few frogs species were lost from fragments (regardless of size) following fragmentation and isolation for 7-10 years. Instead, frog species richness increased, with an average increase in 10 species per fragment. The increase in species was brought about by an increase in matrix associated species, some of which were present in the absence of their preferred breeding habitat. Different frog species had varied responses to fragmentation. The abundance of Eleutherodactylus fenestratus, a terrestrial breeder, increased significantly as fragment size decreased, and its abundance was significantly higher in both large and small fragments than in continuous forest. Colostethus stepheni, a semi-terrestrial breeder, was less abundant in fragments than continuous forest. Finally, Eleutherodactylus zimmermanae and Osteocephalus sp.A did not differ significantly in abundance among fragments, or between fragments and continuous forest. Multiple regression analysis indicated that variation in litter depth and canopy cover may explain the observed increase in E. fenestratus abundance in small fragments. Breeding success of pool breeders attracted to artificial pools was variable, but there was no evidence of reduced breeding success in fragments relative to primary forest. Overall, fragmentation appeared to affect the frog community less severely than other taxonomic groups. Species richness in tropical forest remnants showed a tendency to increase as a result of fragmentation, and only one of four species exhibited lowered abundance in fragments. The effects of fragmentation and subsequent small isolated populations of frog species in fragments was alleviated somewhat by the ability of central Amazonian frogs to utilise matrix habitat. Litter frogs, wallow breeders and upland forest pool breeders all displayed an ability to permeate, and in most cases become residents of matrix habitat. Both matrix with a history of cut and burn and matrix which was only cut supported a similar frog community. Thus, for central Amazonian frogs isolates were not truly isolated due to the ability of frogs to utilise matrix habitat. Litter frogs in 10- hectare isolates displayed an independence from edge related abiotic and biotic gradients. This independence was true for frog species richness, abundance and composition. Consequently, forest fragments are in effect larger for frogs than for other taxa who are constrained by edge effects to exist only within the core of large fragments. Colostethus stepheni was one species found to be negatively affected by habitat fragmentation. Abundance of Colostethus stepheni was significantly lower in fragments and matrix habitat compared to primary continuous forest. This species was also found to be sensitive to edge, with higher abundances recorded as distance from the edge increased. The community level approach adopted in this study, as opposed to intensive investigation of single species, may well have overlooked other' sensitive' species which show more subtle responses to habitat fragmentation than that of Colostethus stepheni. The ability to use matrix and the relative independence from edge related phenomena accounts for the resilience of central Amazonian frogs in a disturbed and fragmented landscape. However, with respect to matrix habitat, forest surveyed in this study has not been repeatedly cut or cut and burnt (with the exception of pasture-land where the frog community is depauperate). In other areas of the Amazon, away from the experimental plots of the BDFFP, matrix habitat is destroyed more frequently. More work is needed to determine the ability of central Amazonian frogs to utilise matrix habitat which is disturbed more frequently.

An investigation into the effects of deforestation and habitat fragmentation on a central Amazonian frog community was carried out on the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project, (BDFFP) based in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. Three aspects of deforestation were investigated: the effects of fragmentation and reserve size, the influence of matrix habitat and the effects offorest edge on frogs in 10- hectare isolates. Very few frogs species were lost from fragments (regardless of size) following fragmentation and isolation for 7-10 years. Instead, frog species richness increased, with an average increase in 10 species per fragment. The increase in species was brought about by an increase in matrix associated species, some of which were present in the absence of their preferred breeding habitat. Different frog species had varied responses to fragmentation. The abundance of Eleutherodactylus fenestratus, a terrestrial breeder, increased significantly as fragment size decreased, and its abundance was significantly higher in both large and small fragments than in continuous forest. Colostethus stepheni, a semi-terrestrial breeder, was less abundant in fragments than continuous forest. Finally, Eleutherodactylus zimmermanae and Osteocephalus sp.A did not differ significantly in abundance among fragments, or between fragments and continuous forest. Multiple regression analysis indicated that variation in litter depth and canopy cover may explain the observed increase in E. fenestratus abundance in small fragments. Breeding success of pool breeders attracted to artificial pools was variable, but there was no evidence of reduced breeding success in fragments relative to primary forest. Overall, fragmentation appeared to affect the frog community less severely than other taxonomic groups. Species richness in tropical forest remnants showed a tendency to increase as a result of fragmentation, and only one of four species exhibited lowered abundance in fragments. The effects of fragmentation and subsequent small isolated populations of frog species in fragments was alleviated somewhat by the ability of central Amazonian frogs to utilise matrix habitat. Litter frogs, wallow breeders and upland forest pool breeders all displayed an ability to permeate, and in most cases become residents of matrix habitat. Both matrix with a history of cut and burn and matrix which was only cut supported a similar frog community. Thus, for central Amazonian frogs isolates were not truly isolated due to the ability of frogs to utilise matrix habitat. Litter frogs in 10- hectare isolates displayed an independence from edge related abiotic and biotic gradients. This independence was true for frog species richness, abundance and composition. Consequently, forest fragments are in effect larger for frogs than for other taxa who are constrained by edge effects to exist only within the core of large fragments. Colostethus stepheni was one species found to be negatively affected by habitat fragmentation. Abundance of Colostethus stepheni was significantly lower in fragments and matrix habitat compared to primary continuous forest. This species was also found to be sensitive to edge, with higher abundances recorded as distance from the edge increased. The community level approach adopted in this study, as opposed to intensive investigation of single species, may well have overlooked other' sensitive' species which show more subtle responses to habitat fragmentation than that of Colostethus stepheni. The ability to use matrix and the relative independence from edge related phenomena accounts for the resilience of central Amazonian frogs in a disturbed and fragmented landscape. However, with respect to matrix habitat, forest surveyed in this study has not been repeatedly cut or cut and burnt (with the exception of pasture-land where the frog community is depauperate). In other areas of the Amazon, away from the experimental plots of the BDFFP, matrix habitat is destroyed more frequently. More work is needed to determine the ability of central Amazonian frogs to utilise matrix habitat which is disturbed more frequently.

Several studies carried out in boreal forests have found significant edge effects in Scots pine although, none of them in southern Sweden. The aim of this study was to investigate edge effects in adjacent Scots pine stands and its influence on tree growth and field vegetation composition. This was carried out in 10 selected forest edges in southeastern Sweden. Results showed reduced number of stems, height, diameter and basal area growth among young trees in particular within 2 m from the forest edge. In the older stands number of stems, diameter and basal area growth increased within the first 2 m from the edge. Field vegetation inventory showed differences in composition in the adjacent stands. In the older stands lichens, lingonberry and blueberry were more frequent, while heather and grasses showed a higher appearance in young stands.

No description available.

No description available.

Als Reaktion auf die fortschreitende, anthropogen bedingte Veränderung und Zerstörung der Ökosysteme fand 1992 die Konferenz der Vereinten Nationen über Umwelt und Entwicklung in Rio de Janeiro statt. Die Konferenz markiert aus heutiger Sicht einen Startpunkt multilateraler Umweltschutzbemühungen, da offiziell formuliert wurde, dass die lokal auftretenden Umweltprobleme durch globale Veränderungen hervorgerufen werden und nur durch gemeinsame Bemühungen auf internationaler Ebene zu bewältigen sind. Ergebnis dieser Konferenz war die Verabschiedung verschiedener internationaler Abkommen zum Umweltschutz. Wälder spielen dabei in ihrer Funktion als Kohlenstoffspeicher und als terrestrischer Lebensraum mit der höchsten Artenvielfalt eine zentrale Rolle. Vor diesem Hintergrund stellen sich für die Waldinventur neue Aufgaben, sowohl bezüglich der zu erfassenden Zielgrößen als auch hinsichtlich der Rahmenbedingungen, da die erhobenen Informationen nicht mehr nur auf Betriebsebene für die Planung der Bewirtschaftung verwendet werden, sondern auch für die Erfüllung der internationalen Berichtspflichten. Als zentrale Größe des Waldmonitorings muss die Waldfläche gesehen werden, da sie die Grundlage für die meisten Berechnungen ist. Daneben wird die Waldfragmentierung, also die Form und räumliche Verteilung der Waldflächen, häufig als Indikator für die Biodiversität diskutiert. Die fernerkundliche Erfassung der Waldfläche und die Beschreibung der Waldfragmentierung mit Landschaftsstrukturmaßen (LSM) im Kontext der internationalen Umweltabkommen ist Gegenstand der vorliegenden Arbeit. Zielsetzung ist es, kritische methodische und technische Aspekte, welche die Schätzung der Waldfläche und die Berechnung der LSM beeinflussen, zu identifizieren und ihre Wirkungen zu analysieren. Anhand einer Literaturrecherche wurden zunächst vier kritische Faktoren identifiziert: i) die Walddefinition, ii) die Waldranddefinition, iii) der Beobachtungsmaßstab und iv) das Landschaftsmodell, welches für die Berechnung der LSM verwendet wird. Die Effekte und Wechselwirkungen zwischen den vier genannten Faktoren wurden im zweiten Teil der Arbeit auf Grundlage einer Simulationsstudie untersucht. Dafür wurden Kronenkarten und Geländemodelle auf Basis von Gauß'schen Zufallsfeldern in verschiedenen Auflösungstufen simuliert. Durch Variation der Mindestüberschirmung  und der Größe der Referenzfläche, auf der die Überschirmung gemessen wird, konnten aus den Kronenkarten Waldkarten mit unterschiedlichen Wald- und Waldranddefinitionen erstellt werden. Zusätzlich wurde der Einfluss des Landschaftsmodells auf die Berechnung der LSM untersucht. Dies geschah mit Hilfe eines neuen Verfahrens, das die Berechnung der LSM im dreidimensionalen Raum ermöglicht. Die Ergebnisse der Simulation zeigen, dass alle vier Faktoren einen wesentlichen Einfluss auf die Waldflächenkarten haben können. Dabei ergeben sich besonders für die Kronenüberschirmung und die Referenzflächengröße spezifische Wechselwirkungen, die sich teilweise mit einem einfachen geometrischen Waldrandmodell theoretisch erklären lassen. So zeigt sich, dass besonders für Walddefinitionen mit einer Mindestüberschirmung, die stark von 50 % abweicht, die Referenzflächengröße einen erheblichen Einfluss auf die Waldfläche und Fragmentierung hat. Basierend auf den Ergebnissen der Simulationstudie wurde im 3. Teil der Arbeit ein Klassifikationschschema entwickelt, das es ermöglicht spezifische Kriterien einer Walddefinition in den Auswertungs- und Klassifikationsprozess von Fernerkundungsdaten zu integrieren, um standardisierte Waldkarten zu erstellen. Beispielhafte Grundlage war die Walddefinition der Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), die Wald als eine Landnutzungsform beschreibt. Im Gegensatz zu Landbedeckungsformen können Landnutzungsklassen nicht direkt in Fernerkundungsdaten beobachtet werden. Zur Erstellung einer Landnutzungskarte  müssen daher neben den Landbedeckungsklassen weitere Kontextinformationen berücksichtigt werden. Dafür wurde in der vorliegenden Arbeit ein hierarchischer Klassifikationsschlüssel entwickelt, der ausgehend von einer Landbedeckungskarte, eine Landnutzungs- und eine Waldkarte generiert. Die benötigten Kontextinformationen werden dabei mit Hilfe von Entscheidungsbäumen, die auf eine fixe Referenzfläche angewendet werden, berücksichtigt. Dieses Verfahren ermöglicht es, Waldkarten zu erstellen, die einer bestimmten vorher festgelegten  Walddefinition entsprechen. Insofern kann das Verfahren zur Standardisierung der Waldflächenerfassung beitragen.  Darüber hinaus bietet es die Möglichkeit die Walddefinition durch Änderung der Kriterien oder der Schwellenwerte flexibel anzupassen, sodass es als wissenschaftliches Werkzeug zur Analyse des Effektes verschiedener Walddefinitionen verwendet werden kann. Im letzten Teil der Arbeit wurde eine Fallstudie durchgeführt, die untersucht inwieweit sich das entwickelte Verfahren operational für die Waldflächenerfassung einsetzen lässt. Da der Fokus der internationalen Umweltabkommen auf den tropischen Waldgebieten liegt, wurden für die Fallstudie zwei unterschiedliche tropische Waldlandschaften in Costa Rica ausgewählt. Zur Klassifikation der Landbedeckung kamen Satellitenbilder des RapidEye-Systems mit einer räumlichen Auflösung von 5 m zum Einsatz. Für die Klassifikation der Landbedeckung wurde zunächst eine Software entwickelt, welche atmosphärische und topographische Korrekturen, Bildverbesserung, nicht-parametrische Klassifikationsverfahren und den, im dritten Teil der Arbeit entwickelten hierarchischen Klassifikationsansatz für die Erstellung der Landnutzungskarten, implementiert. Die Ergebnisse der Fallstudie zeigen, dass das entwickelte Verfahren geeignet ist, Waldkarten für stark fragmentierte tropische Landschaften zu erstellen. Die Waldkarten entsprechen einer zuvor festgelegten Walddefinition (z. B. FAO), in der die einzelnen Kriterien (u. a. Mindestüberschirmung, Mindestgröße, vorherrschende Landnutzung) während der Klassifikation explizit geprüft werden. Die vorliegende Arbeit zeigt theoretisch, empirisch und auch in der praktischen Anwendung, dass eine Vielzahl von Faktoren die Erfassung der Waldfläche beeinflusst. Einer der wichtigsten Faktoren ist dabei die Walddefinition. Die übliche Praxis bei der fernerkundlichen Erstellung von Waldkarten, die Klasse "Wald" ohne expliziten Bezug auf geeignete Kriterien direkt auszuweisen, führt zu großen Unsicherheiten bei der Waldflächenschätzung und ist im Rahmen von international verbindlichen Abkommen kaum akzeptabel. Die Entscheidung welche Walddefinition verwendet werden soll, wird in politischen Verhandlungen bestimmt. Aufgabe der Waldinventur muss es dann sein, diese politischen Vorgaben umzusetzen. Die hier vorgestellten Methoden können insofern zur Standardisierung der fernerkundlichen Waldflächenerfassung beitragen, als das sie transparente Entscheidungsregeln implementieren und somit konsistente Waldkarten erzeugen.

O presente estudo foi realizado em uma floresta semidecídua no Parque Estadual de Itapuã, no município de Viamão, RS. Este trabalho teve como objetivos: a) descrever e comparar o comportamento fenológico de espécies arbóreas em duas formações fisionômica distintas – uma área de interior de floresta e outra de borda; b) realizar análises de correlação entre as fenofases e as variáveis climáticas pluviosidade e temperatura para o período de estudo e para os seis meses anteriores, e também verificar a existência de correlação entre as fenofases e os dados médios de pluviosidade e temperatura para um período de 30 anos; e c) verificar a existência (ou não) de sazonalidade nas áreas amostradas. O clima da região é subtropical úmido sem estação seca, com temperatura média anual em torno de 19,5oC. A precipitação anual varia entre 1.100 e 1.300 mm e as chuvas são bem distribuídas ao longo do ano. Dados de floração, frutificação, queda foliar e brotamento foram coletados mensalmente para um total de 54 espécies no período entre outubro/2002 e março/2004. As relações entre as fenofases vegetativas e as variáveis climáticas foram similares em ambas as áreas, sugerindo que as espécies amostradas são afetadas de modo semelhante pelo clima. A queda foliar e o brotamento ocorreram simultaneamente nas duas áreas. A queda foliar manteve um padrão irregular e decrescente durante as observações em ambas as áreas, sem picos pronunciados de atividade. Já o brotamento foi intermitente durante o período de observações. O comportamento fenológico das fenofases reprodutivas diferiu nas áreas amostradas. O pico principal de floração ocorreu um mês antes na borda, e no interior da floresta esta fenofase exibiu um pico secundário que não foi observado na borda.Esta foi a fenofase que apresentou mais correlações significativas com as variáveis climáticas consideradas. Assim como a floração, a frutificação também foi constante, evidenciando assincronia entre as espécies. A frutificação apresentou correlação altamente significativa com a pluviosidade do sexto mês precedente no interior da floresta, e correlação significativa com a temperatura 4–5 meses antes e com a temperatura média para o período de 30 anos na borda. As análises de correlação mostraram que as fenofases apresentaram mais correlações significativas com a temperatura do que com a pluviosidade, e que a área de borda teve mais correlações significativas do que a área de interior de floresta. O teste de Rayleigh mostrou que, das fenofases observadas, apenas a queda foliar foi sazonal, embora as demais fenofases tenham apresentado picos de atividade pronunciados no período de amostragem. / This study was conducted in a semideciduous forest at Itapuã State Park, Viamão municipality, Rio Grande do Sul State, southern Brazil. Its objectives were to: a) describe and compare the phenological patterns of arboreal plant species at two physiognomically distinct sites, one in the interior and the other at the edge of the forest; b) estimate the correlation between the phenological phases and the climatic variables precipitation and temperature for the study period and for each one of the six preceding months, and also between the phenophases and the average monthly rainfall and temperature for a 30 years period; and c) test for the existence of seasonality among the phenological phases in the study sites. Climate in the region is subtropical humid with no pronounced dry season. The mean annual temperature is around 19.5oC. The annual precipitation varies from 1.100 to 1.300 mm and the rains are well distributed throughout the year. Data on flowering, fruiting, leaf fall and leaf flushing for 54 species were collected monthly from October 2002 to March 2004. The relationship between the vegetative phenological phases and climatic variables was similar in both areas, suggesting that the sampled species are affected by the local climate in a similar way. Leaf fall and flushing were simultaneous in both areas. Leaf fall showed an irregular and decreasing pattern throughout the sampling period, with no pronounced peaks of activity. Leaf flushing was intermittent during the observation period. The phenological pattern of the reproductive phenophases differed in the study sites. The main flowering peak occurred one month earlier at the edge site, and at the forest interior this phenological phase showed a secondary peak not detected at the edge. Flowering was the phenological phase most strongly correlated with the climatic variables. Flowering and fruiting were constant, evidencing asynchrony among the sampled species. Fruiting was highly correlated with precipitation 6 months before at the forest interior site, and significantly correlated with temperature 4–5 months before and with average temperature for the 30 year period at the edge site. Correlation analysis showed that the phenological phases were more strongly associated with temperature than with rainfall, and that the edge had more significant correlations with climatic variables than the forest interior. The Rayleigh test revealed that, of all phenological phases considered, only leaf fall was truly seasonal, even though the other phenophases showed pronounced peaks of activity throughout the sampling period.

O presente estudo foi realizado em uma floresta semidecídua no Parque Estadual de Itapuã, no município de Viamão, RS. Este trabalho teve como objetivos: a) descrever e comparar o comportamento fenológico de espécies arbóreas em duas formações fisionômica distintas – uma área de interior de floresta e outra de borda; b) realizar análises de correlação entre as fenofases e as variáveis climáticas pluviosidade e temperatura para o período de estudo e para os seis meses anteriores, e também verificar a existência de correlação entre as fenofases e os dados médios de pluviosidade e temperatura para um período de 30 anos; e c) verificar a existência (ou não) de sazonalidade nas áreas amostradas. O clima da região é subtropical úmido sem estação seca, com temperatura média anual em torno de 19,5oC. A precipitação anual varia entre 1.100 e 1.300 mm e as chuvas são bem distribuídas ao longo do ano. Dados de floração, frutificação, queda foliar e brotamento foram coletados mensalmente para um total de 54 espécies no período entre outubro/2002 e março/2004. As relações entre as fenofases vegetativas e as variáveis climáticas foram similares em ambas as áreas, sugerindo que as espécies amostradas são afetadas de modo semelhante pelo clima. A queda foliar e o brotamento ocorreram simultaneamente nas duas áreas. A queda foliar manteve um padrão irregular e decrescente durante as observações em ambas as áreas, sem picos pronunciados de atividade. Já o brotamento foi intermitente durante o período de observações. O comportamento fenológico das fenofases reprodutivas diferiu nas áreas amostradas. O pico principal de floração ocorreu um mês antes na borda, e no interior da floresta esta fenofase exibiu um pico secundário que não foi observado na borda.Esta foi a fenofase que apresentou mais correlações significativas com as variáveis climáticas consideradas. Assim como a floração, a frutificação também foi constante, evidenciando assincronia entre as espécies. A frutificação apresentou correlação altamente significativa com a pluviosidade do sexto mês precedente no interior da floresta, e correlação significativa com a temperatura 4–5 meses antes e com a temperatura média para o período de 30 anos na borda. As análises de correlação mostraram que as fenofases apresentaram mais correlações significativas com a temperatura do que com a pluviosidade, e que a área de borda teve mais correlações significativas do que a área de interior de floresta. O teste de Rayleigh mostrou que, das fenofases observadas, apenas a queda foliar foi sazonal, embora as demais fenofases tenham apresentado picos de atividade pronunciados no período de amostragem. / This study was conducted in a semideciduous forest at Itapuã State Park, Viamão municipality, Rio Grande do Sul State, southern Brazil. Its objectives were to: a) describe and compare the phenological patterns of arboreal plant species at two physiognomically distinct sites, one in the interior and the other at the edge of the forest; b) estimate the correlation between the phenological phases and the climatic variables precipitation and temperature for the study period and for each one of the six preceding months, and also between the phenophases and the average monthly rainfall and temperature for a 30 years period; and c) test for the existence of seasonality among the phenological phases in the study sites. Climate in the region is subtropical humid with no pronounced dry season. The mean annual temperature is around 19.5oC. The annual precipitation varies from 1.100 to 1.300 mm and the rains are well distributed throughout the year. Data on flowering, fruiting, leaf fall and leaf flushing for 54 species were collected monthly from October 2002 to March 2004. The relationship between the vegetative phenological phases and climatic variables was similar in both areas, suggesting that the sampled species are affected by the local climate in a similar way. Leaf fall and flushing were simultaneous in both areas. Leaf fall showed an irregular and decreasing pattern throughout the sampling period, with no pronounced peaks of activity. Leaf flushing was intermittent during the observation period. The phenological pattern of the reproductive phenophases differed in the study sites. The main flowering peak occurred one month earlier at the edge site, and at the forest interior this phenological phase showed a secondary peak not detected at the edge. Flowering was the phenological phase most strongly correlated with the climatic variables. Flowering and fruiting were constant, evidencing asynchrony among the sampled species. Fruiting was highly correlated with precipitation 6 months before at the forest interior site, and significantly correlated with temperature 4–5 months before and with average temperature for the 30 year period at the edge site. Correlation analysis showed that the phenological phases were more strongly associated with temperature than with rainfall, and that the edge had more significant correlations with climatic variables than the forest interior. The Rayleigh test revealed that, of all phenological phases considered, only leaf fall was truly seasonal, even though the other phenophases showed pronounced peaks of activity throughout the sampling period.

O presente estudo foi realizado em uma floresta semidecídua no Parque Estadual de Itapuã, no município de Viamão, RS. Este trabalho teve como objetivos: a) descrever e comparar o comportamento fenológico de espécies arbóreas em duas formações fisionômica distintas – uma área de interior de floresta e outra de borda; b) realizar análises de correlação entre as fenofases e as variáveis climáticas pluviosidade e temperatura para o período de estudo e para os seis meses anteriores, e também verificar a existência de correlação entre as fenofases e os dados médios de pluviosidade e temperatura para um período de 30 anos; e c) verificar a existência (ou não) de sazonalidade nas áreas amostradas. O clima da região é subtropical úmido sem estação seca, com temperatura média anual em torno de 19,5oC. A precipitação anual varia entre 1.100 e 1.300 mm e as chuvas são bem distribuídas ao longo do ano. Dados de floração, frutificação, queda foliar e brotamento foram coletados mensalmente para um total de 54 espécies no período entre outubro/2002 e março/2004. As relações entre as fenofases vegetativas e as variáveis climáticas foram similares em ambas as áreas, sugerindo que as espécies amostradas são afetadas de modo semelhante pelo clima. A queda foliar e o brotamento ocorreram simultaneamente nas duas áreas. A queda foliar manteve um padrão irregular e decrescente durante as observações em ambas as áreas, sem picos pronunciados de atividade. Já o brotamento foi intermitente durante o período de observações. O comportamento fenológico das fenofases reprodutivas diferiu nas áreas amostradas. O pico principal de floração ocorreu um mês antes na borda, e no interior da floresta esta fenofase exibiu um pico secundário que não foi observado na borda.Esta foi a fenofase que apresentou mais correlações significativas com as variáveis climáticas consideradas. Assim como a floração, a frutificação também foi constante, evidenciando assincronia entre as espécies. A frutificação apresentou correlação altamente significativa com a pluviosidade do sexto mês precedente no interior da floresta, e correlação significativa com a temperatura 4–5 meses antes e com a temperatura média para o período de 30 anos na borda. As análises de correlação mostraram que as fenofases apresentaram mais correlações significativas com a temperatura do que com a pluviosidade, e que a área de borda teve mais correlações significativas do que a área de interior de floresta. O teste de Rayleigh mostrou que, das fenofases observadas, apenas a queda foliar foi sazonal, embora as demais fenofases tenham apresentado picos de atividade pronunciados no período de amostragem. / This study was conducted in a semideciduous forest at Itapuã State Park, Viamão municipality, Rio Grande do Sul State, southern Brazil. Its objectives were to: a) describe and compare the phenological patterns of arboreal plant species at two physiognomically distinct sites, one in the interior and the other at the edge of the forest; b) estimate the correlation between the phenological phases and the climatic variables precipitation and temperature for the study period and for each one of the six preceding months, and also between the phenophases and the average monthly rainfall and temperature for a 30 years period; and c) test for the existence of seasonality among the phenological phases in the study sites. Climate in the region is subtropical humid with no pronounced dry season. The mean annual temperature is around 19.5oC. The annual precipitation varies from 1.100 to 1.300 mm and the rains are well distributed throughout the year. Data on flowering, fruiting, leaf fall and leaf flushing for 54 species were collected monthly from October 2002 to March 2004. The relationship between the vegetative phenological phases and climatic variables was similar in both areas, suggesting that the sampled species are affected by the local climate in a similar way. Leaf fall and flushing were simultaneous in both areas. Leaf fall showed an irregular and decreasing pattern throughout the sampling period, with no pronounced peaks of activity. Leaf flushing was intermittent during the observation period. The phenological pattern of the reproductive phenophases differed in the study sites. The main flowering peak occurred one month earlier at the edge site, and at the forest interior this phenological phase showed a secondary peak not detected at the edge. Flowering was the phenological phase most strongly correlated with the climatic variables. Flowering and fruiting were constant, evidencing asynchrony among the sampled species. Fruiting was highly correlated with precipitation 6 months before at the forest interior site, and significantly correlated with temperature 4–5 months before and with average temperature for the 30 year period at the edge site. Correlation analysis showed that the phenological phases were more strongly associated with temperature than with rainfall, and that the edge had more significant correlations with climatic variables than the forest interior. The Rayleigh test revealed that, of all phenological phases considered, only leaf fall was truly seasonal, even though the other phenophases showed pronounced peaks of activity throughout the sampling period.

No description available.