In this study the researchers were looking into a type of biological phenomenon in southeast Asia called a general flowering or GF for short. They used most of the space in the journal article discussing the various theories as to why the even occurs in the way it does, as well as why the event doe not happen in other tropical areas around the world. GF is unique, because it can occur over thousands of miles and involve hundreds of plant species representing diverse families and lifeforms. It also involves strict mast fruiting. However, there is still plenty to be learned about this type of phenomena as was stated in the closing line of the abstract, “Long-term monitoring and further understanding of GF are essential for the conservation of this unique and diverse tropical forest in south-east Asia, especially in a period of global climatic change.” (Sakai, 2002)

The general flowering is a large synchronization of plants blooming, including trees, shrubs, and grasses. According to Sakai,  In seasonal environments, synchronization of reproduction among individuals occurs, in part, because a particular season is most favourable for reproduction and the survival of offspring. However, the extent of synchronization is usually much stronger than would be expected from the variability of climatic conditions. And is part of why the GF is such an interesting case, because it appears to happen in response to some combination of triggers, — like a shift in climate, but there is not enough research or knowledge to know what is causing it to happen in one specific area of the world. Though General flowering is a phenomenon unique to lowland dipterocarp forests. These forests are characterized by a high species diversity of trees. The detail that helps to separate the General flowering from other similar phenomena is that not only dipterocarp trees but also many other plant species show flowering patterns that are synchronized with the dipterocarp trees.

In this study Sakai summarizes the previous studies done on this subject and breaks down the findings into a language that is easier to understand as well as put their own research into to further prove what is known and help to explain why this is such an interesting and important phenomenon to study. There was not a clear problem or question that was being investigated in this article, though there were charts and new data used to support already existing hypotheses and show a newer audience what is known about the topic and what still needs to be done.

Sakai, Shoko. “General flowering in lowland mixed dipterocarp forests of South‐east Asia.” Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 75.2 (2002): 233-247.