uw-milwaukee geography vision and objectives national phenology network (npn)

UW-Milwaukee GeographyUW-Milwaukee Geography

Vision and ObjectivesVision and Objectives

National Phenology Network (NPN)National Phenology Network (NPN)


Definition of PhenologyDefinition of Phenology PhenologyPhenology which is derived from the Greek word which is derived from the Greek word phainophaino meaning to show or to appear, is the study of meaning to show or to appear, is the study of plant and animal life cycle events, which are plant and animal life cycle events, which are triggered by environmental changes, especially triggered by environmental changes, especially temperature. Thus, timings of phenological events temperature. Thus, timings of phenological events are ideal indicators of global change impacts.are ideal indicators of global change impacts.

SeasonalitySeasonality is a related term, referring to similar is a related term, referring to similar non-biological events, such as timing of the fall non-biological events, such as timing of the fall formation and spring break-up of ice on fresh water formation and spring break-up of ice on fresh water lakes. lakes.


Phenological ResearchPhenological Research Traditional approach: agriculture-Traditional approach: agriculture-

centered, and local-scale eventscentered, and local-scale events Recent approach: Earth systems Recent approach: Earth systems

interactions, and global-scale eventsinteractions, and global-scale events Question: What roles for phenology in Question: What roles for phenology in

current and future agricultural current and future agricultural research?research?


Critical Research AreasCritical Research Areas Atmosphere-Biosphere Atmosphere-Biosphere

InteractionsInteractions Long-term Organism Long-term Organism

response to Climate Changeresponse to Climate Change Global Phenology Databases Global Phenology Databases

for monitoring and for monitoring and managementmanagement


Integrated ApproachIntegrated Approach Satellite Observations Satellite Observations

(MODIS-NDVI/EVI)(MODIS-NDVI/EVI) Indicator Species PhenologyIndicator Species Phenology Native Species PhenologyNative Species Phenology


#1 Issue: Lack of Data!#1 Issue: Lack of Data!

Surface phenological data is virtually Surface phenological data is virtually non-existent in the USAnon-existent in the USA

A National Phenology Network can A National Phenology Network can profoundly affect the future course of profoundly affect the future course of bioclimatic research in the USAbioclimatic research in the USA


Vision of a USA National Vision of a USA National Phenology Network (NPN)Phenology Network (NPN) a continental-scale network a continental-scale network observing observing

regionally appropriate native plant species, regionally appropriate native plant species, cloned indicator plants (lilac +?), (and cloned indicator plants (lilac +?), (and selected agricultural crops?)selected agricultural crops?)

designed to complement remote sensing designed to complement remote sensing observationsobservations

data collected will be freely available to the data collected will be freely available to the research community and general publicresearch community and general public


Addressing new continental-scale questionsAddressing new continental-scale questions


Prototype for web-based NPNPrototype for web-based NPNhttp://www.npn.uwm.eduhttp://www.npn.uwm.edu


Select appropriate native speciesSelect appropriate native species


Submit data over the InternetSubmit data over the Internet


Diurnal Range Change with Lilac First LeafDiurnal Range Change with Lilac First Leaf

- 5 6 - 4 2 - 2 8 - 1 4 0 1 4 2 8 4 2 5 6Days After First Leaf Date

7 . 5

8 . 5

9 . 5

1 0 . 5

1 1 . 5

1 2 . 5

1 3 . 5

1 4 . 5

1 5 . 5

Diu

rna

l R

an

ge

(°C

)Snow DateM ean = -27.9s.e. = 1.6 +

Freeze D ateM ean = +12.5s.e. = 0.9 +

Source: Schwartz 1996, Figure 3


Comparative Net Ecosystem ExchangeComparative Net Ecosystem Exchange

-70 -56 -42 -28 -14 0 14 28 42 56 70Days after Spring Index First Bloom

-18

-16

-14

-12

-10

-8

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

Mea

n D

aily

NE

E (

um

ol/m

2 /s)

Oak Ridge, TNH. Forest, MAM-Monroe, IN

Park Falls, W I


Comparative Net Ecosystem ExchangeComparative Net Ecosystem ExchangeAnnual “Downturn” RatesAnnual “Downturn” Rates

-10 0 10 20 30 40Days after SI First Bloom that NEE = -5

-40

-20

0

20

40

Day

s af

ter

SI F

irst

Blo

om

th

at N

EE

= 0

Oak Ridge, TNH. Forest, MAM-Monroe, INPark Falls, W I


NPN ContributionsNPN Contributions

Facilitate understanding of plant Facilitate understanding of plant phenological cycles and their phenological cycles and their relationship to climate (energy relationship to climate (energy balance, carbon flux, and balance, carbon flux, and “traditional” measures)“traditional” measures)


Terrestrial Biosphere Terrestrial Biosphere Dynamic Change DetectionDynamic Change Detection

Satellite PhenologySatellite Phenology Simulated Phenology (Models)Simulated Phenology (Models) Cloned Species PhenologyCloned Species Phenology Native Species PhenologyNative Species Phenology


Cloned lilac first leaf and first bloom datesCloned lilac first leaf and first bloom datesat a single station in Vermontat a single station in Vermont


Simulated phenology developed from lilac and Simulated phenology developed from lilac and honeysuckle data combined with climate data honeysuckle data combined with climate data

Source: Schwartz and Reiter 2000, Plate 4 (updated)


Lilac First Leaf 1961-2000 SlopeLilac First Leaf 1961-2000 Slope


Lilac First Bloom 1961-2000 SlopeLilac First Bloom 1961-2000 Slope


Integrated Species Indices (ISI)Integrated Species Indices (ISI)southwestern Wisconsinsouthwestern Wisconsin


NPN ContributionsNPN Contributions Comprehensive evaluation of Comprehensive evaluation of

satellite-derived measurementssatellite-derived measurements Evaluate impacts of longer Evaluate impacts of longer

growing seasons on pollinators, growing seasons on pollinators, cattle, crop and forest pests, cattle, crop and forest pests, wildfires, carbon storage, and wildfires, carbon storage, and water usewater use


SI First Leaf Date 1961-2000 SlopeSI First Leaf Date 1961-2000 Slope


North. Hem. SI First Leaf Date DeparturesNorth. Hem. SI First Leaf Date Departures


NPN ContributionsNPN Contributions

Detection of long-term Detection of long-term phenological trends in response phenological trends in response to climate variability/global to climate variability/global warmingwarming


Future NPN Contributions Future NPN Contributions Interpretation/Comparison of Interpretation/Comparison of

satellite phenology with “spatially satellite phenology with “spatially concentrated” surface dataconcentrated” surface data

Interpretation of “ripple effects” in Interpretation of “ripple effects” in biomes and managed systemsbiomes and managed systems


Workshop IssuesWorkshop Issues Native species selection for regionsNative species selection for regions Expansion of indicator plants to entire countryExpansion of indicator plants to entire country Web-based reporting and feedback systemWeb-based reporting and feedback system Network infrastructure design and functionNetwork infrastructure design and function Collaborative and cooperative agreementsCollaborative and cooperative agreements Deployment and development strategiesDeployment and development strategies Public engagement and awarenessPublic engagement and awareness

uw-milwaukee geography vision and objectives national phenology network (npn)

Documents