DOCSLIB.ORG

The Plant Phenology Monitoring Design for the National Ecological Observatory Network Sarah Elmendorf

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Plant Phenology Monitoring Design for the National Ecological Observatory Network Sarah Elmendorf University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group Publications 4-2016 The plant phenology monitoring design for The National Ecological Observatory Network Sarah Elmendorf Katherine D. Jones Benjamin I. Cook Jeffrey M. Diez Carolyn A. F. Enquist See next page for additional authors Let us know how access to this document benefits ouy . Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/ntsg_pubs Recommended Citation Elmendorf, S. C., K. D. Jones, B. I. Cook, J. M. Diez, C. A. F. Enquist, R. A. Hufft, M. O. Jones, S. J. Mazer, A. J. Miller-Rushing, D. J. P. Moore, M. D. Schwartz, and J. F. Weltzin. 2016. The lp ant phenology monitoring design for The aN tional Ecological Observatory Network. Ecosphere 7(4):e01303. 10.1002/ecs2.1303 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group Publications by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Authors Sarah Elmendorf, Katherine D. Jones, Benjamin I. Cook, Jeffrey M. Diez, Carolyn A. F. Enquist, Rebecca A. Hufft, Matthew O. Jones, Susan J. Mazer, Abraham J. Miller-Rushing, David J. P. Moore, Mark D. Schwartz, and Jake F. Weltzin This article is available at ScholarWorks at University of Montana: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/ntsg_pubs/405 SPECIAL FEATURE: NEON DESIGN The plant phenology monitoring design for The National Ecological Observatory Network Sarah C. Elmendorf,1,2,†Katherine D. Jones,1 Benjamin I. Cook,3 Jeffrey M. Diez,4 Carolyn A. F. Enquist,5,6 Rebecca A. Hufft,7 Matthew O. Jones,8 Susan J. Mazer,9 Abraham J. Miller-Rushing,10 David J. P. Moore,11 Mark D. Schwartz,12 and Jake F. Weltzin13 1The National Ecological Observatory Network, 1685 38th St., Boulder, Colorado 80301 USA 2Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309 USA 3NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, 2880 Broadway, New York, New York 10025 USA 4Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California 92521 USA 5USA National Phenology Network, National Coordinating Office, 1955 E. 6th Street, Tucson, Arizona 85719 USA 6DOI Southwest Climate Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 1064 E. Lowell Street, Tucson, Arizona 85721 USA 7Denver Botanic Gardens, 909 York Street, Denver, Colorado 80206 USA 8Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 USA 9Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106 USA 10National Park Service, Acadia National Park and Schoodic Education and Research Center, Bar Harbor, Maine 04660 USA 11School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, 1064 East Lowell Street, Tucson, Arizona 85721 USA 12Department of Geography, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, PO Box 413, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201 USA 13US Geological Survey, 1955 East 6th St., Tucson, Arizona 85721 USA Citation: Elmendorf, S. C., K. D. Jones, B. I. Cook, J. M. Diez, C. A. F. Enquist, R. A. Hufft, M. O. Jones, S. J. Mazer, A. J. Miller-Rushing, D. J. P. Moore, M. D. Schwartz, and J. F. Weltzin. 2016. The plant phenology monitoring design for The National Ecological Observatory Network. Ecosphere 7(4):e01303. 10.1002/ecs2.1303 Abstract. Phenology is an integrative science that comprises the study of recurring biological activities or events. In an era of rapidly changing climate, the relationship between the timing of those events and envi- ronmental cues such as temperature, snowmelt, water availability, or day length are of particular interest. This article provides an overview of the observer-based plant phenology sampling conducted by the U.S. National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), the resulting data, and the rationale behind the design. Trained technicians will conduct regular in situ observations of plant phenology at all terrestrial NEON sites for the 30- yr life of the observatory. Standardized and coordinated data across the network of sites can be used to quantify the direction and magnitude of the relationships between phenology and environmen- tal forcings, as well as the degree to which these relationships vary among sites, among species, among phe- nophases, and through time. Vegetation at NEON sites will also be monitored with tower-based cameras, satellite remote sensing, and annual high- resolution airborne remote sensing. Ground- based measurements can be used to calibrate and improve satellite- derived phenometrics. NEON’s phenology monitoring design is complementary to existing phenology research efforts and citizen science initiatives throughout the world and will produce interoperable data. By collocating plant phenology observations with a suite of additional meteorological, biophysical, and ecological measurements (e.g., climate, carbon flux, plant productivity, population dynamics of consumers) at 47 terrestrial sites, the NEON design will enable continental- scale inference about the status, trends, causes, and ecological consequences of phenological change. Key words: long-term monitoring; NEON; open-source data; plant phenology; sample design; Special Feature: NEON Design. Received 30 July 2015; revised 6 November 2015; accepted 12 November 2015. Corresponding Editor: E.-L. Hinckley. Copyright: © 2016 Elmendorf et al. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. † E-mail: [email protected] v www.esajournals.org 1 April 2016 v Volume 7(4) v Article e01303 SPECIAL FEATURE: NEON DESIGN ELMENDORF ET AL. INTRODUCTION within a growing season, and the southern limit by insufficient chilling to break bud dormancy. The overarching mission of NEON is to enable Phenological plasticity may be a beneficial trait. understanding and forecasting of the impacts of Species whose activity patterns closely track in- climate change, land use change, and the intro- terannual climate variability tend to have im- duction of invasive species on ecosystem struc- proved growth, productivity, or reproductive ture and function (see Thorpe et al., unpublished success than those that do not (Cleland et al. manuscript). Tracking the timing of seasonally 2012). In other cases, however, early greenup or recurring life cycle events (phenology) is thus a floral bud development in response to anoma- natural focal area of study for the Observatory. lously early arrival of spring can be detrimental. Plant phenological transitions may be triggered Phenological advancement in response to warm by a variety of cues, including chilling, spring spring temperatures followed by a late frost can temperature, growing degree days, and daylight have catastrophic effects on fruit and seed pro- (Chuine 2000); many of these factors are likely to duction, and canopy development (Inouye 2008, shift significantly over the next 30 yr (IPCC 2013). Hufkens et al. 2012). Changes in phenology have been observed for Climate- induced changes in phenology can many taxa across the earth (Parmesan and Yohe create feedbacks that alter biogeochemical cy- 2003). The onset of spring phenological events cling and species interactions (Melillo et al. 2014). advanced at an estimated mean rate of 1.2 d per Changes in the timing of leaf budburst and se- decade from 1955 to 2002, across the Northern nescence affect surface radiation, near surface Hemisphere, likely caused by recent climate temperature, hydrology, and carbon cycling warming (Schwartz et al. 2006). Observational (Churkina et al. 2005, Bonan 2008, Richardson and experimental studies indicate that plants et al. 2010, Jeong et al. 2012, 2013). An analysis flower on average ~5 d earlier per 1 °C increase in of more than a dozen models included in the spring temperature (Wolkovich et al. 2012) and North American Carbon Program (NACP) Inter- current projections indicate that spring phenolo- im Synthesis indicated across all models, sites, gy could advance by between 1 and 10 d over the and years of data, for each forest type; errors of planned 30- yr lifespan of the NEON observatory up to 25 d in predictions of “spring onset” were (IPCC 2013). Many species, however, delay flow- common, and errors of up to 50 d were observed ering in response to increases in winter or spring (Richardson et al. 2012). From the general posi- temperatures (Mazer et al. 2013), and there is tive relationship between carbon uptake and sea- still much to learn about the causes of variation son length derived from a synthesis of a range among species and higher taxa in the direction of eddy covariance sites, the largest phenologi- and magnitude of their phenological responses cal errors in current models would translate into to both temperature and rainfall (Mazer et al. between ~150 and ~450 g/m2 of carbon annually 2013, 2015). (Churkina et al. 2005). Differential responses to Beyond providing an indicator of climate phenological cues between plants, consumers, change, the timing of phenological transitions and/or pollinators can disrupt the overlap in ac- is also a potentially important driver of demo- tivity periods among interacting organisms, po- graphic trajectories and biogeographic distri-
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Limited Alpine Climatic Warming and Modeled Phenology Advancement for Three Alpine Species in the Northeast United States
    Utah State University DigitalCommons@USU Ecology Center Publications Ecology Center 9-14-2014 Limited Alpine Climatic Warming and Modeled Phenology Advancement for Three Alpine Species in the Northeast United States Michael L. Davis Utah State University Kenneth D. Kimball Appalachian Mountain Club Douglas M. Weihrauch Appalachian Mountain Club Georgia L. D. Murray Appalachian Mountain Club Kenneth Rancourt Mount Washington Observatory Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/eco_pubs Part of the Botany Commons Recommended Citation Davis, Michael L.; Kimball, Kenneth D.; Weihrauch, Douglas M.; Murray, Georgia L. D.; and Rancourt, Kenneth, "Limited Alpine Climatic Warming and Modeled Phenology Advancement for Three Alpine Species in the Northeast United States" (2014). Ecology Center Publications. Paper 31. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/eco_pubs/31 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Ecology Center at DigitalCommons@USU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Ecology Center Publications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@USU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. American Journal of Botany 101 ( 9 ): 1437 – 1446 , 2014 . L IMITED ALPINE CLIMATIC WARMING AND MODELED PHENOLOGY ADVANCEMENT FOR THREE ALPINE SPECIES IN THE NORTHEAST UNITED STATES 1 K ENNETH D. KIMBALL 2,5 , M ICHAEL L. DAVIS 2,3 , D OUGLAS M . W EIHRAUCH 2 , G EORGIA L. D. MURRAY 2 , AND K ENNETH R ANCOURT 4 2 Research Department, Appalachian Mountain Club, 361 Route 16, Gorham, New Hampshire 03581 USA; 3 Ecology Center, Utah State University, 5205 Old Main Hill—NR 314, Logan, Utah 84322 USA; and 4 Mount Washington Observatory, 2779 White Mountain Highway, North Conway, New Hampshire 03860 USA • Premise of the study: Most alpine plants in the Northeast United States are perennial and fl ower early in the growing season, extending their limited growing season.
    [Show full text]
  • The Phenology Handbook a Guide to Phenological Monitoring for Students, Teachers, Families, and Nature Enthusiasts
    The Phenology Handbook A guide to phenological monitoring for students, teachers, families, and nature enthusiasts Brian P Haggerty and Susan J Mazer University of California, Santa Barbara © 2008 Brian P Haggerty and Susan J Mazer Acknowledgments Since the Spring of 2007 it has been our great pleasure to work with a wide variety of students, educators, scien- tists, and nature enthusiasts while developing the Phenology Stewardship Program at the University of California, Santa Barbara. We would like to express our gratitude to those who have contributed (and who are currently con- tributing) time and energy for field observations, classroom implementation, and community outreach. We thank the Phenology Stewards (UCSB undergraduates) who have helped to collect plant and avian phenological data at UCSB’s Coal Oil Point Natural Reserve and to develop the methodologies and protocols that are presented in this handbook. Special thanks to the Phenology Stewardship graphic design team who helped develop this handbook, including Christopher Cosner, Karoleen Decastro, Vanessa Zucker, and Megan van den Bergh (illustrator). We also thank Scott Bull, the UCSB Coastal Fund, and the students of UCSB for providing funding for the devel- opment and continued operation of the Phenology Stewardship Program at UCSB. We would like to thank those in the Santa Barbara region who are implementing phenology education and engag- ing students to participate in Project Budburst, including: • Dr. Jennifer Thorsch and UCSB’s Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration (CCBER), as well as the teachers associated with CCBER’s “Kids In Nature” environmental education program; • the “teachers in training” in the Teacher Education Program at UCSB’s Gevirtz School of Graduate Educa- tion who work in K-12 schools throughout Santa Barbara; and • docents at natural reserves and botanic gardens, including Coal Oil Point, Sedgwick, Arroyo Hondo, Ran- cho Santa Ana, Carpenteria Salt Marsh, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Lotusland Botanic Garden.
    [Show full text]
  • A Remotely Sensed Pigment Index Reveals Photosynthetic Phenology in Evergreen Conifers
    A remotely sensed pigment index reveals photosynthetic phenology in evergreen conifers John A. Gamona,b,c,1, K. Fred Huemmrichd, Christopher Y. S. Wonge,f, Ingo Ensmingere,f,g, Steven Garrityh, David Y. Hollingeri, Asko Noormetsj, and Josep Peñuelask,l aCenter for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583; bDepartment of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2E3; cDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2E9; dNASA Goddard Space Flight Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Greenbelt, MD 20771; eDepartment of Biology, University of Toronto, Mississauga, ON, Canada L5L1C6; fGraduate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada M5S 1A1; gGraduate Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada M5S 3G5; hDecagon Devices, Inc., Pullman, WA 99163; iUS Forest Service, Northern Research Station, Durham, NH 03824; jDepartment of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695; kConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC), Global Ecology Unit, Center for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF)-CSIC-Campus de Bellaterra, Bellaterra 08193, Catalonia, Spain; and lCREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès 08193, Catalonia, Spain Edited by Christopher B. Field, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Stanford, CA, and approved September 29, 2016 (received for review April 17, 2016) In evergreen conifers, where the foliage amount changes little with photosynthetic activity has been temperature-limited (3, 7). By season, accurate detection of the underlying “photosynthetic phe- contrast, warmer growing seasons are also more likely to cause nology” from satellite remote sensing has been difficult, presenting drought, restricting ecosystem carbon uptake and enhancing eco- challenges for global models of ecosystem carbon uptake.
    [Show full text]
  • Contrasting Responses of Autumn-Leaf Senescence to Daytime and Night-Time Warming
    LETTERS https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-018-0346-z Contrasting responses of autumn-leaf senescence to daytime and night-time warming Chaoyang Wu 1,2*, Xiaoyue Wang1,2, Huanjiong Wang 1,2*, Philippe Ciais 3, Josep Peñuelas 4,5, Ranga B. Myneni6, Ankur R. Desai 7, Christopher M. Gough8, Alemu Gonsamo 9, Andrew T. Black1, Rachhpal S. Jassal10, Weimin Ju11, Wenping Yuan12, Yongshuo Fu13, Miaogen Shen14, Shihua Li15, Ronggao Liu16, Jing M. Chen9 and Quansheng Ge 1,2* Plant phenology is a sensitive indicator of climate change1–4 be as important as spring in regulating the interannual variability and plays an important role in regulating carbon uptake by of carbon balance7. plants5–7. Previous studies have focused on spring leaf-out by LSD has been occurring later in most regions over the past few daytime temperature and the onset of snow-melt time8,9, but decades18, but providing an explanation for this change is difficult9. the drivers controlling leaf senescence date (LSD) in autumn An increase in global temperature is assumed to be a driver of LSD remain largely unknown10–12. Using long-term ground pheno- trends19, but studies have indicated that the contribution of tem- logical records (14,536 time series since the 1900s) and satel- perature to LSD variability is low, especially compared with spring lite greenness observations dating back to the 1980s, we show phenology20,21. We argue that ignoring the asymmetric effects22 of that rising pre-season maximum daytime (Tday) and minimum Tday versus Tnight and their differing impacts on LSD contributes to night-time (Tnight) temperatures had contrasting effects on the the reported overall low contribution of temperature to LSD vari- timing of autumn LSD in the Northern Hemisphere (> 20° N).
    [Show full text]
  • Global Biogeographical Pattern of Ecosystem Functional Types Derived from Earth Observation Data
    Remote Sens. 2013, 5, 3305-3330; doi:10.3390/rs5073305 OPEN ACCESS Remote Sensing ISSN 2072-4292 www.mdpi.com/journal/remotesensing Article Global Biogeographical Pattern of Ecosystem Functional Types Derived From Earth Observation Data Eva Ivits 1,*, Michael Cherlet 1, Stephanie Horion 2 and Rasmus Fensholt 2 1 Land Resource Management Unit, European Commission Joint Research Centre, I-21027 Ispra, Italy; E-Mail: [email protected] 2 Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Oster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 Copenhagen, Denmark; E-Mails: [email protected] (S.H.); [email protected] (R.F.) * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: [email protected]; Tel.: +39-332-78-5315. Received: 22 May 2013; in revised form: 27 June 2013 / Accepted: 1 July 2013 / Published: 10 July 2013 Abstract: The present study classified global Ecosystem Functional Types (EFTs) derived from seasonal vegetation dynamics of the GIMMS3g NDVI time-series. Rotated Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was run on the derived phenological and productivity variables, which selected the Standing Biomass (approximation of Net Primary Productivity), the Cyclic Fraction (seasonal vegetation productivity), the Permanent Fraction (permanent surface vegetation), the Maximum Day (day of maximum vegetation development) and the Season Length (length of vegetation growing season) variables, describing 98% of the variation in global ecosystems. EFTs were created based on Isodata classification of the spatial patterns of the Principal Components and were interpreted via gradient analysis using the selected remote sensing variables and climatic constraints (radiation, temperature, and water) of vegetation growth.
    [Show full text]
  • The Phenology of Plant Invasions: a Community Ecology Perspective
    Frontiers inEcology and the Environment The phenology of plant invasions: a community ecology perspective Elizabeth M Wolkovich and Elsa E Cleland Front Ecol Environ 2010; doi:10.1890/100033 This article is citable (as shown above) and is released from embargo once it is posted to the Frontiers e-View site (www.frontiersinecology.org). Please note: This article was downloaded from Frontiers e-View, a service that publishes fully edited and formatted manuscripts before they appear in print in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. Readers are strongly advised to check the final print version in case any changes have been made. esaesa © The Ecological Society of America www.frontiersinecology.org REVIEWS REVIEWS REVIEWS The phenology of plant invasions: a community ecology perspective Elizabeth M Wolkovich1* and Elsa E Cleland2 Community ecologists have long recognized the importance of phenology (the timing of periodic life-history events) in structuring communities. Phenological differences between exotic and native species may con- tribute to the success of invaders, yet ecology has not developed a general theory for how phenology may shape invasions. Shifts toward longer growing seasons, tracked by plant and animal species worldwide, heighten the need for this analysis. The concurrent availability of extensive citizen-science and long-term datasets has created tremendous opportunities to test the relationship between phenology and invasion. Here, we (1) extend major theories within community and invasion biology to include phenology, (2) develop a pre- dictive framework to test these theories, and (3) outline available data resources to test predictions. By creating an integrated framework, we show how new analyses of long-term datasets could advance the fields of com- munity ecology and invasion biology, while developing novel strategies for invasive species management.
    [Show full text]
  • Joint Control of Terrestrial Gross Primary Productivity by Plant Phenology and Physiology
    Joint control of terrestrial gross primary productivity by plant phenology and physiology Jianyang Xiaa,1,2, Shuli Niub,1,2, Philippe Ciaisc, Ivan A. Janssensd, Jiquan Chene, Christof Ammannf, Altaf Araing, Peter D. Blankenh, Alessandro Cescattii, Damien Bonalj, Nina Buchmannk, Peter S. Curtisl, Shiping Chenm, Jinwei Donga, Lawrence B. Flanagann, Christian Frankenbergo, Teodoro Georgiadisp, Christopher M. Goughq, Dafeng Huir, Gerard Kielys, Jianwei Lia,t, Magnus Lundu, Vincenzo Magliulov, Barbara Marcollaw, Lutz Merboldk, Leonardo Montagnanix,y, Eddy J. Moorsz, Jørgen E. Olesenaa, Shilong Piaobb,cc, Antonio Raschidd, Olivier Roupsardee,ff, Andrew E. Suykergg, Marek Urbaniakhh, Francesco P. Vaccaridd, Andrej Varlaginii, Timo Vesalajj,kk, Matthew Wilkinsonll, Ensheng Wengmm, Georg Wohlfahrtnn,oo, Liming Yanpp, and Yiqi Luoa,qq,1,2 aDepartment of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019; bSynthesis Research Center of Chinese Ecosystem Research Network, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Beijing 100101, China; cLaboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement, 91191 Gif sur Yvette, France; dDepartment of Biology, University of Antwerpen, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; eCenter for Global Change and Earth Observations and Department of Geography, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824; fClimate and Air Pollution Group, Federal Research Station Agroscope, CH-8046 Zurich, Switzerland; gSchool of Geography and
    [Show full text]
  • Methods for Broad-Scale Plant Phenology Assessments Using Citizen Scientists’ Photographs
    bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/754275; this version posted September 1, 2019. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY-NC 4.0 International license. Methods for broad-scale plant phenology assessments using citizen scientists’ photographs Vijay V. Barve1,*, Laura Brenskelle1, Daijiang Li1, Brian J. Stucky1, Narayani V. Barve1, Maggie M. Hantak1, Bryan S. McLean1, 2, Daniel J. Paluh1, Jessica A. Oswald1, 3, Michael Belitz1, Ryan Folk1, 4, Robert Guralnick1 1. Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 2. Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402 3. Biology Department, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557 4. Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762 Abstract Broad-scale plant flowering phenology data has predominantly come from geographically and taxonomically restricted monitoring networks. However, platforms such as iNaturalist, where citizen scientists upload photographs and curate identifications, provide a promising new source of data. Here we develop a general set of best practices for scoring iNaturalist digital records supporting downstream re-use in phenology studies. We focus on a case study group, Yucca, because it has showy flowers and is well documented on iNaturalist. Additionally, drivers of Yucca phenology are not well-understood despite need for Yucca to synchronize flowering with obligate moth pollinators. Finally, evidence of anomalous flowering events have been recently reported, but the extent of those events is unknown.
    [Show full text]
  • Flowering Phenology Shifts in Response to Biodiversity Loss
    Flowering phenology shifts in response to biodiversity loss Amelia A. Wolfa,b,c,1, Erika S. Zavaletad, and Paul C. Selmantse aEcology, Evolution, and Environmental Sciences Department, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027; bInstitute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095; cDepartment of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616; dDepartment of Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064; and eWestern Geographic Science Center, US Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA 94025 Edited by Christopher B. Field, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Stanford, CA, and approved February 1, 2017 (received for review May 24, 2016) Observational studies and experimental evidence agree that rising Altering plant community structure could influence phenology global temperatures have altered plant phenology—the timing of indirectly, via effects on abiotic processes and resource avail- life events, such as flowering, germination, and leaf-out. Other ability, or directly, via biotic interactions. Years of experimental large-scale global environmental changes, such as nitrogen deposi- manipulations of plant species diversity have demonstrated that tion and altered precipitation regimes, have also been linked to diversity affects abiotic ecosystem processes, such as soil mois- changes in flowering times. Despite our increased understanding ture and nutrient pools (13, 14). These effects mimic, on a of how abiotic factors influence plant phenology, we know very smaller spatial scale, many of the main effects of anthropogenic little about how biotic interactions can affect flowering times, a nitrogen deposition and changing precipitation patterns, but significant knowledge gap given ongoing human-caused alteration it remains untested whether the magnitude of these diversity of biodiversity and plant community structure at the global scale.
    [Show full text]
  • Phenology-Linked Indicators of Climate Change Impacts on Society and Ecosystems
    Taking the Pulse of Our Planet Phenology-Linked Indicators of Climate Change Impacts on Society and Ecosystems “An indicator represents the state of certain environmental conditions over a given area and a specified period of time [1].” In addition to increasing our understanding of current and future changes, the identification of indicators can greatly facilitate the communication of observed impacts of climate change to the public and decision-makers. Information derived from these indicators can then influence the de- sign of an effective societal response to these impacts—most of which will affect the function of the ecosystem services that support human well-being around the globe [2]. Phenology—the seasonal timing of life cycle events in plants and animals—is widely accepted as a robust, leading ecological indicator of the impacts of environmental variation and climate change on biodiversity and ecosystem processes across spatial and temporal scales [3, 4]. Many species of migratory birds are shifting their arrival dates in spring and fall due to climate variability and change. Many phenology-linked indicators have broad application across sectors and geographies. De- pending on the application, phenology can be used as an indicator of species’ sensitivity to climate Climate-derived Indicators change, an indicator of impacts on important ecological processes, or can be combined with cli- mate data as an integrated indicator of climate change [5]. Indicator 1: Accumulated Growing Degree Days (GDD) Description: Calculated as the number of days above a pre-specified tempera- ture threshold; thresholds can be set relative to region and vegetation or crops. Selection of Phenology-Linked Indicators Relevance: Indicator is critical to carbon, water, and nutrient cycles; this trans- lates to plant primary production.
    [Show full text]
  • Phenology As an Indicator of Environmental Variation and Climate Change Impacts
    Taking the Pulse of Our Planet Phenology as an Indicator of Environmental Variation and Climate Change Impacts “Phenology–the seasonal activity of plants and animals—is perhaps the simplest process in which to track changes in the ecology of species in re- sponse to climate change.” (IPCC 2007) Changes in the timing of phenological events—such as flowering, migrations, and breeding—have been called a ‘globally coherent fingerprint of climate change impacts’ on plants and animals [1]. Cli- mate-induced changes in phenology have been linked to shifts in the timing of allergy seasons and cultural festivals, increases in wildfire activity and pest outbreaks, shifts in species distributions, declines in the abundance of native species, the spread of invasive species, and changes in carbon cycling in forests. The breadth of these impacts highlights the potential for phenological data and related information to inform management and policy deci- sions across sectors. For example, phenology data at multiple spatial The EPA considers the Yellow-bellied Marmot as an indicator of and temporal scales are currently being used to identify species vul- climate change in Colorado (Photo: A. Miller-Rushing). nerable to climate change, to generate computer models of carbon Synthetic indicators of climate change: Local to regional sequestration, to manage invasive species, to facilitate the planning of climatology is a critical driver of phenological variation of seasonal cultural activities, to forecast seasonal allergens, and to track organisms across scales from individuals to landscapes. Ac- disease vectors in human population centers. cordingly, the U.S. EPA recently designated two phenology- derived variables as climate change indicators: length of the Phenological Indicators of Climate Change growing season and leaf and bloom dates [4].
    [Show full text]
  • National Park Service and the USA National Phenology Network
    National Park Service and the USA National Phenology Network Helping the National Park Service Achieve With earlier springs come longer growing seasons, which infl uence Its Mission many basic aspects of managing national parks, including timing Understanding the seasonal cycles of plants and animals, how they of peak visitation, the timing of staffi ng and facility needs, are changing, and how these changes can inform management, and strategies for managing water and landscaped areas. The operations, and interpretation is critical to the mission of the USA-NPN provides phenology information that is essential National Park Service (NPS): to preserve unimpaired the natural for intelligent planning of future park staffi ng, budgeting, and and cultural resources and values of the National Park System operations. for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. Why Phenology? Observations of phenology describe key aspects of ecological Improving Resource Management and Operations variability, and serve as indicators of climate change impacts on park ecosystems. Phenology is an essential biodiversity Phenology information provided by the USA National Phenology variable that aids in understanding species interactions, water Network (USA-NPN) informs almost all typical NPS resource availability, carbon cycling, and disturbances such as fi re management practices—e.g., the management of invasive spe- and pest outbreaks—the temporal component of nearly all cies, wildfi re risk, wildlife, and water resources—as well as plan- ecosystem functions. Knowing whether fl owering is becoming ning activities, such as identifying vulnerable species, anticipating asynchronous with arrival of pollinators, or whether leaf out future conditions, and developing annual work plans.
    [Show full text]