Tree damage, growth and phenology after a hurricane in a tropical dry forest in Veracruz

Abstract

As a major disturbance, hurricanes affect growth and phenology of trees. Tree diameters were annually measured for three years, and the phenology of 16 tree species monthly recorded in a seasonally dry tropical forest in Veracruz, Mexico, when on September 2010, Hurricane Karl struck the region. One month later, tree damage was recorded and phenological observations resumed for 12 more months, and diameter measurement for two more years. Tree damage due to the hurricane was high: 10 % were uprooted, 7 % broken and 2 % bent. All trees uprooted died, but some broken or bent trunk trees resprouted (15 % of tagged trees died). Overall, mean diameter growth of trees that survive the hurricane (0.79 cm yr-1) was greater than pre-hurricane growth rate (0.68 cm yr-1). For all the studied species together, leaf fall, leafing, and flowering phenology did not differ between pre- and post-hurricane whereas fruiting was lower for the post-hurricane year. At species level, most species displayed differences in reproductive phenology between pre-hurricane and post-hurricane years. Most species did not flower, lower flowering and fruiting (Calyptranthes schiedeana), or did not fruit (Luehea candida, Maclura tinctoria, Tabebuia chrysantha) the year following the hurricane. In conclusion, due to hurricane damage, tree mortality was high but many trees recovered from damage, and that the hurricane negatively influenced intensity in reproductive phenology, and in turn may alter forest structure, shift species composition, and affect the trophic relationships and functioning of the whole forest community.