uw-milwaukee geography building a state and national phenology network prof. mark d. schwartz...

UW-Milwaukee GeographyUW-Milwaukee Geography

Building a State and Building a State and National Phenology National Phenology

NetworkNetworkProf. Mark D. SchwartzProf. Mark D. Schwartz

Department of Geography, UW-MilwaukeeDepartment of Geography, UW-Milwaukee

Wisconsin Phenological SocietyWisconsin Phenological Society


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 periodic biological events in the animal and plant periodic biological events in the animal and plant world as influenced by the environment, especially world as influenced by the environment, especially temperature changes driven by weather and climate.temperature changes driven by weather and climate.

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.


Examples of PhenologyExamples of Phenology Sprouting, leafing, and flowering of Sprouting, leafing, and flowering of

plants in Springplants in Spring Leaf color change in AutumnLeaf color change in Autumn Bird migration and nestingBird migration and nesting Insect hatchesInsect hatches Animal hibernationAnimal hibernation


Lilac First LeafLilac First Leaf


Lilac First BloomLilac First Bloom


History of PhenologyHistory of Phenology Ancient and traditional uses related to Ancient and traditional uses related to

agriculture, due to the connection of changes agriculture, due to the connection of changes in the local environment to plant in the local environment to plant development. development.

Specific events can serve as “indicators” to Specific events can serve as “indicators” to guide other activities. This can be useful for guide other activities. This can be useful for garden planting in the Spring, especially for garden planting in the Spring, especially for early season crops, or if some early planting early season crops, or if some early planting risk is needed to ensure success.risk is needed to ensure success.


New Uses of PhenologyNew Uses of Phenology Global Change Science—phenological Global Change Science—phenological

observations serve as an independent observations serve as an independent measure of the effect of climate change on measure of the effect of climate change on biological organisms.biological organisms.

Ecosystem linkages—phenological Ecosystem linkages—phenological observations at different levels of the food observations at different levels of the food chain (plant growth, insect hatching, bird chain (plant growth, insect hatching, bird feeding/nesting) can shed light on “ripple feeding/nesting) can shed light on “ripple effects” of climate change.effects” of climate change.


Integrated Approach to Global Integrated Approach to Global Change-related PhenologyChange-related Phenology

Satellite Observations (AVHRR-Satellite Observations (AVHRR-NDVI)NDVI)

Indicator Species PhenologyIndicator Species Phenology Native Species PhenologyNative Species Phenology


Example: Lilac First Leaf Date 1961-2000 SlopeExample: Lilac First Leaf Date 1961-2000 Slope(changes are in days/year at each station)(changes are in days/year at each station)


Example: SI First Leaf Date 1961-2000 SlopeExample: SI First Leaf Date 1961-2000 Slope(changes are in days/year at each station)(changes are in days/year at each station)


Example: North. Hem. SI First Leaf Date DeparturesExample: North. Hem. SI First Leaf Date Departures


Specific Concerns for Specific Concerns for ObserversObservers

Appropriate Organisms—need to select Appropriate Organisms—need to select species to observe that are appropriate to species to observe that are appropriate to desired objective (local gardening, global desired objective (local gardening, global change, etc.) change, etc.)

Precise definition of events—if part of a Precise definition of events—if part of a larger study, all observers must have a larger study, all observers must have a clearly defined way to make sure they are all clearly defined way to make sure they are all defining the event they record in the same defining the event they record in the same wayway


Opportunities to participateOpportunities to participate Wisconsin Phenological Society and Wisconsin Phenological Society and

Network, Network, http://www.naturenet.com/alnc/wps/http://www.naturenet.com/alnc/wps/

National Phenology Network, National Phenology Network, http://www.npn.uwm.eduhttp://www.npn.uwm.edu

Other networks, Other networks, http://www.uwm.edu/~mds/markph.htmlhttp://www.uwm.edu/~mds/markph.html

uw-milwaukee geography building a state and national phenology network prof. mark d. schwartz...

Documents

uwmilwaukee geography

u seasonality

leaf slide

u national phenology

u specific events

way slide

bloom slide

spring u leaf color