The annual cycle of natural events such as leaves and flowers emerging, migratory birds appearing or eggs hatching is impacted by the weather. The timing of these events can be very sensitive to small variations in climate especially temperature.
Phenology studies the timing of these recurring natural phenomena and phenological records are consequently a useful tool in the study and understanding of climate change and global warming.
Climate change is affecting rainfall and temperature changes across Australia; as a consequence, the triggers for flowering times, breeding cycles, migration movements and other phenological characteristics are also changing. Biologists predict that over a million species are threatened with extinction as a result of climate change and changes to Australia's biological systems may impact forestry, food production and the availability of water. However scientists have very little data available to understand the impacts of this.
Collecting and analysing data on complex phenological changes is critical to managing pests, preserving habitats for native species and adapting agriculture for the future. Scientists predict that over a million species are threatened with extinction as a result of climate change and have identified an urgent need for large-scale data gathering to assess how biological systems are responding. The UN has also identified large scale gathering of phenological data as a high priority. Models in Europe and North America demonstrate that only through a multi-sector approach that engages the community will we be able to understand, predict and mitigate the effects of climate change on biodiversity.
This is where you come in!
Link
The UK Phenology Network - Nature's Calendar. A great website showing how natural systems and climate are linked. Includes live maps of what natural events are occurring in the UK and maps tracking changes seasonal changes in species activity. The Interactive garden is a great illustration of how climate change can be observed in your garden. http://www.phenology.org.uk/