phenology and climate change
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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. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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