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Sinharaja dipterocarp mast fruiting cycles: seedling survival and mycorrhizal fungi?

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J
Jules Plant•915 rep

How do dominant canopy hardwood trees (Shorea megistophylla) coordinate synchronous mast seed drops every five years to overwhelm seed predators in lowland rainforests?

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6 Answers from travellers

✓Accepted Answer

Endemic dipterocarps in Sinharaja exhibit irregular, supra-annual synchronous mast fruiting every 3 to 7 years. Triggered by brief dry spells followed by sudden thermal drops during inter-monsoons, hundreds of square kilometers of Shorea trees flower and drop winged seeds (samaras) simultaneously. This massive seed flood overwhelms granivorous seed predators (such as dusky-striped jungle squirrels and wild boar), ensuring millions of recalcitrant seeds germinate immediately on wet forest leaf litter within 48 hours before fungal decay sets in.

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D
Dr Wasantha Flora•1840 rep

Dipterocarp seeds cannot be stored in commercial seed banks; they are recalcitrant, losing germination viability if moisture content drops below 35%.

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J
Jules Plant•915 rep

Seedlings depend on underground ectomycorrhizal fungal networks that link mature canopy mother trees to young understory saplings, transferring carbon in deep shade.

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N
Nils Soils•890 rep

Mast fruiting events trigger secondary breeding pulses among endemic birds like the Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot and hornbills that feed on high-protein buds.

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Z
Zoe Wildlife•905 rep

Clearing primary forest disrupts soil fungal balance; replanting Shorea in abandoned pastures fails unless soil is inoculated with native forest humus.

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E
Elena Granite•925 rep

Commercial timber harvesting of all native dipterocarp species remains banned nationwide under strict state forest logging moratoria.

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R
Ranger Bandara DWC•1770 rep

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