Phenology and Other Characteristics of Tropical Semi-Deciduous Forest in North-Western Costa Rica

During the rainy season the semi-deciduous forest in tropical north-western Costa Rica bears a close rememblance to deciduous forests of temperate eastern U.S.A. and central Europe in their summer aspect. This physiognomic resemblance is ecologically striking since the former temperature varies but little through the year with rainfall differing markedly, whereas in the latter precipitation is abundant at all seasons but temperatures are strongly contrasted between summer and winter. During a year's residence in the Costa Rican forest, records were made of tree growth, flowering, and fruiting with the objective of characterizing such features of the vegetation more closely than has yet been done, and where feasible drawing comparisons with the temperate zone forest.