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Plant phenology in relation to water availability: herbaceous and woody species in the savannas of northern Cameroon

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

J. Seghieri ,
Ch. Floret  and
R. Pontanier
J. Seghieri
Affiliation:
ORSTOM, BP. 11416, Niamey, Niger
Ch. Floret
Affiliation:
CNRS-CEFE, BP. 5051, 34 033 Montpellier, France et ORSTOM, BP. 1386 Dakar, Senegal
R. Pontanier
Affiliation:
ORSTOM, 1004 El Menzah, BP. 434, Tunis, Tunisia
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Abstract

Phenological patterns of herbaceous and woody plants well represented in the Sudano-Sahelian savannas of northern Cameroon were studied in relation to water availability in three contrasted soil types. Mean annual precipitation in this region is 800 mm, entirely restricted to the period May-June to September-October, but redistribution of rainwater by varying soil substrates leads to considerable heterogeneity in available water resources for plants. Results are discussed in terms of probable competition for water resources among co-occurring plants and the adaptations shown by observed patterns to prevailing environmental conditions. Water stress is seen to be a limiting factor to plant growth but does not constitute the sole trigger for the phenological phases observed, nor is it the principal factor responsible for the preponderance of annual species in the herbaceous stratum.

Keywords

adaptationnorthern Cameroonphenological strategiessavannawater resourceswater stress
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 11 , Issue 2 , May 1995 , pp. 237 - 254
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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References

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