Phenology and Environmental Change:

Challenges and Opportunities

The High Plains Initiative for Integrated PhenologyThe High Plains Initiative for Integrated PhenologyUniversity of NebraskaUniversity of Nebraska

http://csce.unl.edu/phenology/

Ecosystem Scope

The High Plains Initiative for Integrated PhenologyThe High Plains Initiative for Integrated PhenologyUniversity of NebraskaUniversity of Nebraska

http://csce.unl.edu/phenology/http://csce.unl.edu/phenology/

• Jstore—See Aldo Leopold’s manuscript on phenology Jstore—See Aldo Leopold’s manuscript on phenology indicators. indicators.

• Are there ideal criteria (or data needed) for a phenological Are there ideal criteria (or data needed) for a phenological indicator species—green-up, photoperiod sensitivity vs. indicator species—green-up, photoperiod sensitivity vs. insensitivity, temperature sensitivity, vernalization?insensitivity, temperature sensitivity, vernalization?

• How many plants (2 perennials, 2 annuals, etc.)?How many plants (2 perennials, 2 annuals, etc.)?• How many years/environments are needed to be How many years/environments are needed to be

representative of a reasonable time period for study? representative of a reasonable time period for study? • Also need to consider upgrading our website to show the Also need to consider upgrading our website to show the

phenological stages.phenological stages.• Understand our genotypes—use our knowledge of crop Understand our genotypes—use our knowledge of crop

genetics.genetics.

Ecosystem Scope

The High Plains Initiative for Integrated PhenologyThe High Plains Initiative for Integrated PhenologyUniversity of NebraskaUniversity of Nebraska

http://csce.unl.edu/phenology/http://csce.unl.edu/phenology/

• Managed ecosystems: Crops– Can we collect data that can be used? Is there other data

that we can take to make more complete data sets?– Perennials (tie to the rangeland sciences and grapes),

winter annuals, spring annuals– How close is the phenology tied to time of planting; or

prior weather—seed quality, fall growth?– In perennials, how is phenology affected by previous

year effects; prior weather?– Can the managed ecosystems be tied unmanaged

ecosystems?

Ecosystem Scope

The High Plains Initiative for Integrated PhenologyThe High Plains Initiative for Integrated PhenologyUniversity of NebraskaUniversity of Nebraska

http://csce.unl.edu/phenology/http://csce.unl.edu/phenology/

• Managed ecosystems: Crops– How can the data be used—what is the impact on

agriculture and our food systems?

– Is the lengthening fall as much or more a concern than the start of spring? Are there signature plants for late season—perennials, annuals, etc.

– Are there end of season traits that can be used to study phenology and climate? Late flowering plant?

– How do we link to models?

Ecosystem Scope

The High Plains Initiative for Integrated PhenologyThe High Plains Initiative for Integrated PhenologyUniversity of NebraskaUniversity of Nebraska

http://csce.unl.edu/phenology/http://csce.unl.edu/phenology/

• Unmanaged ecosystems: – Migratory birds– Grasshoppers (APHIS--those that overwinter as

nymphs vs. those that overwinter as eggs). They have different feeding habits.

– Wildflowers– Hessian fly/ wheat head army worm, other insects—

other crops. Predator/pest cycles, etc. related to the “strength” of the winter.

– Diseases (Cereal Disease Laboratory)—aerial fungi, vectored viruses.

– Tie to lilac data.

Ecosystem Scope

The High Plains Initiative for Integrated PhenologyThe High Plains Initiative for Integrated PhenologyUniversity of NebraskaUniversity of Nebraska

http://csce.unl.edu/phenology/http://csce.unl.edu/phenology/

Outreach to students and alumni, science teacher associations, coop climate teams, master gardeners and groundskeepers at universities and schools, Audubon Society, Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, National Association of Garden Clubs, FFA?, 4-H, APHIS and state departments of agriculture.

Finding the groups that are dedicated. Finding the long term data sets.

Ecosystem Scope

The High Plains Initiative for Integrated PhenologyThe High Plains Initiative for Integrated PhenologyUniversity of NebraskaUniversity of Nebraska

http://csce.unl.edu/phenology/http://csce.unl.edu/phenology/

Grapes: Note not clonalBudbreakBloomOnset of ripening—veraisonHardening—bark formation and color changeRose of Sharon—Soybeans---if added planting date, first leaf, bloom.National Resource Soil Conservation Germplasm Centers