Forest dynamics, taxonomic diversity and synchronization of flowering are important ecological aspects of woody species of tropical forests in Borneo. Repeated measurements on permanent plots show that forest dynamics are driven by gap formation. Attempts have been made to explain high tropical diversity by a number of theories, ranging from the ecological equitability of species to narrow niche specialization. Finally, the conspicuous flowering synchronicity, principally of three species of the family Dipterocarpaceae, may be explained as a reaction on predation in regeneration phase. This phenomenon is triggered by climatic fluctuations connected to the El Nino-Southern Oscillation.