© 2007-2009 university corporation for atmospheric research, all rights reserved a special project...

© 2007-2009 University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, All Rights Reserved

A special project of Project BudBurst and Urban Forestry South

www.UrbanTreePhenology.org


Urban Tree Phenology (UTP) connects

• urban forest professionals• arborists• and the general public

with the scientific research community through direct observations of urban tree phenophases.

Urban Tree Phenology


Phenology is the study of life cycles events of plants and animals initiated and driven by environmental factors.

Phenophases are the observable stages in the annual life cycle of a plant or animal (Examples include First leaf, First flower, First ripe fruit, Leaf color, Leaf senescence)



The purpose of Urban Tree Phenology is develop a better understanding of plant responses in our changing environments. Changing environments may be caused by climate change, land development, the urban heat island effect, and management practices.



Why Urban Tree Phenology?

1. Climate ChangeTree phenophases are directly affected by changes in temperature, precipitation patterns and the length of day

2. Urban Tree ManagementAccurate recordkeeping and observationscan support more effective urban forest management

3. Public HealthLong-term UTP can provide data to study the effectiveness of urban forests to better manage tree relationships with human health issues (e.g., allergies, asthma, and skin cancer)

4. Urban Heat Island ResearchUTP can provide data to support researchInto urban heat islands, climate change, and ???

Photographs courtesy of NCAR, EPA, and Wikimedia.


50% Leaf FallAmerican Elm

All Leaves Unfolded Blackgum

Example Phenophases

Photographs courtesy of Adam A. Agosta, Mary S. Bowen and G. Suanne Bacque, Louisiana State University AgCenter; Dr. Paul Alaback, University of Montana; Chris Evens and Richard Webb, Bugwood.org; Steve Baskauf, Vanderbilt University

First NeedlesPonderosa Pine

Full FlowerEastern serviceberry

First Ripe FruitSouthern live oak

First FlowerRed Maple First Leaf

Tulip poplar


Example UTP Species

Eastern whitepine

Red maple

Tulip poplar

Southern live oak

Photographs courtesy of David K. Northington and Sally and Andy Wasowski, Lady Bird Wildflower Center; Wikipedia; © 2005 Louis-M. Landry; G. Suanne Bacque, Louisiana State University AgCenter

Chinese elm

Willow oakBald cypress


Helpful Materials

Phenophase Field Guide

UTP Guide

UTP SiteDescription

Checklist

Camera or camera-enabled

smart-phone

Global Positioning System (GPS)


Overview of Phenological Investigation

Preparation for ObservationsSelect tree species

Identify optimal site & individual treesRegister online

Make Field ObservationsRecord date of phenophase

Take photographs

Submit Observations

Online


Presentation created by Karl C. Clarke, UCAR.

Slide background photographs courtesy of Sally and Andy Wasowski, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and Dr. Paul Alaback, University of Montana.

Join us in collecting important climate change and Join us in collecting important climate change and tree management data on the timing of leafing and tree management data on the timing of leafing and flowering of urban trees in your area through the flowering of urban trees in your area through the

Urban Tree Phenology. This national field Urban Tree Phenology. This national field campaign targets native tree species and their campaign targets native tree species and their

cultivars across the country.cultivars across the country.

www.UrbanTreePhenology.org


© 2007-2009 university corporation for atmospheric research, all rights reserved a special project...

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