LFDP phenology plot seedlings – 16 ha plot

These data on temporal and spatial patterns of seedling recruitment in
conjunction with data on flower and seed rain production allow tests of hypotheses
concerning causes of inter-annual variation and roles of different mechanisms in
facilitating species coexistence. The data are being used to, among other things 1)
quantify seasonal and inter-annual variation in reproductive output in tropical plant
populations and communities; 2) analyze relationships between reproduction and a variety
of hypothesized local and regional climate drivers; 3) evaluate evidence for long-term
directional trends which could reflect responses to anthropogenic global change; 4)
quantify spatiotemporal variation in seed arrival and seedling recruitment of individual
species; 5) analyze associated evidence of recruitment limitation, life history
trade-offs, density dependent recruitment and regeneration niche partitioning; and 6)
evaluate how these processes interact with inter-annual variation in climate and plant
reproduction.