Phenology and Climate Change

Lesson Idea for NC Climate Fellows

National Phenology Network

What is “phenology”?

Phenology is the observation and measurement of events in time

Biological context:

Recurring biological cycles and their connection to climate.

annual bird migrations

insect outbreaks (cicada cycles!)

salmon spawning

Tree phenology: spring leaf expansion

Leaf senescence

Factors that can produce changes in growing season

Temperature

Sunlight (cloudiness)

Available Water

Available Nutrients

Pollution (water and/or air quality)

Disease, infestation

Phenology and climate change

Phenology: indicator of climate change?

Earlier “greening up” may indicate warmer temperatures

Later leaf-fall may indicate warmer temperatures

Earlier leaf-fall may correspond with drier conditions (resulting from many different factors including climate change).

Climate change influences phenology?

Earlier leaf-out and/or later leaf-fall extends growing season

Longer growing season can lead to… Developing drought conditions - fires

Insect infestation

Diseases

Loss or mismatch of pollinators

Species range changes

How to Study & Climate Change?Collecting leaf litter to determine date of peak leaf loss (Procedure included).

Observing bud break (greening) (GLOBE procedure URL included).

Weather station data - Tavg. and precipitation (CRONOS – procedure included).

MODIS satellite data for LAI, Evapotranspiration and GPP (procedure included).

Leaf fall & ground truthing

Observations on two species found across the state: red maple and sweetgum

Collection of leavesRegular collection schedule

for example: Mondays and Thursdays

Standardized collection device

Site selection

Forest stand (not individual trees)

Minimal human activity

Use Google Earth or Google maps and record longitude and latitude

Basket placement:

4 baskets per tree2 at edge of crown2 halfway between trunk and edge of crown

Leaf Litter Data – What to recordDate

Number of leaves of each species each time data collected

Weather conditions since previous collection

Other observations (example – basket was removed by groundsmen).

SEE SAMPLE DATA

CRONOS – Temperature and Rainfall

http://www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/cronos/

MODIS

Satellite data :

1. Leaf Area Index

2. Evapotranspiration

3. Gross Primary Productivity

What are the questions can be address with this activity

(lab)?

Is growing season length changing at this site? (MODIS)

Is growing season length different at this site that other locations? If so, why (MODIS)

Do leaf litter data correspond with satellite data? (Leaf litter spreadsheet comparison to MODIS)

What are the water conditions and how might they affect the timing of senescence? (CRONOS & MODIS)

Other Phenology Sources

National Phenology Network

Great Backyard Bird Count

GLOBE Program