Every now and then, some trees produce massive numbers of their fruits and seeds.  This sudden ‘excess’ of seeds / fruits, mens that the various animals that feed on the fruits / seeds cannot eat all of them - so many will survive to germinate, and go on to develop into seedlings and saplings.

This excess of fruits [such as acorns, beech nuts] is known as masting.  Whilst it is thought to help with the long term survival of tree species, it is not without certain risks.  Masting uses up considerable nutritional and energy resources to produce flowers and fruit, which can affect the long term viability of the tree and the growth / reproductive capacity in subsequent years.  It is also possible that the abundance of food for animals could lead to an increase in small mammals (rodents?) and other animals, some of which might be vectors for disease.

Masting has seemed to be a random process.  However, researchers at Hokkaido University have now developed a computer based model of masting - by studying the Japanese Oak (Quercus crispula).  The model considers such factors as :

• the resource budget of the tree
• pollen limitation
• weather patterns

The researchers hope that apart from predicting the likelihood of masting that the model will also help predict :

• ‘the effects of climate change on woodlands and forests’
• ‘long term trend availability of  food for animals’.  

Though the model is currently based on the Japanese Oak, it is hoped to extend the model to include other species through collaboration with workers across the globe.

Woodland path covered with mast