Fall Phenological Development in Downer Woods
Mentor 1
Mark D. Schwartz
Location
Union Wisconsin Room
Start Date
5-4-2019 1:30 PM
End Date
5-4-2019 3:30 PM
Description
The Fall Phenological Development project in Downer Woods involves recording ground-based visual assessments of autumn phenological (the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena) development of 100 marked trees in Downer Woods. Leaf coloration and leaf loss are the two phenophases (an observable stage or phase in the annual life cycle of a plant) that are observed in autumn. Phenophases are observed three times a week during the change in phenophase levels and are given a percentage regarding the completion of their individual category. At the end of the season, phenophase percentages are compiled and displayed on a graph, which shows their variance throughout the course of their growth.
Fall phenological development is conducted to better understand the environmental drivers of phenology, to bridge the differences between satellite-derived and assessments of phenology; to analyze the development of models that simulate phenological development and assess changes in phenological timing among a population. It is important to determine the response of autumn phenology to climate change in forest ecosystems, as phenological variations affect carbon balance, forest productivity, and biodiversity (variety of life in an ecosystem). Monitoring phenology is critical for determining the switchover dates of Carbon Dioxide assimilation/fixation (the conversion process of carbon dioxide to organic compounds by living organisms) and facilitating the calculation of primary productivity and the characterization of land surface physical processes and biochemical cycles. The observations can provide more complete and detailed information on leaf phenological development between and within species and between different phenophases during phenological progression. Major components of life such as food supply depend on the timing of phenological events. Evaluating the changes in phenological development with the trees of Downer Woods allow us to draw similarities with the climate change that is affecting our world today.
Fall Phenological Development in Downer Woods
Union Wisconsin Room
The Fall Phenological Development project in Downer Woods involves recording ground-based visual assessments of autumn phenological (the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena) development of 100 marked trees in Downer Woods. Leaf coloration and leaf loss are the two phenophases (an observable stage or phase in the annual life cycle of a plant) that are observed in autumn. Phenophases are observed three times a week during the change in phenophase levels and are given a percentage regarding the completion of their individual category. At the end of the season, phenophase percentages are compiled and displayed on a graph, which shows their variance throughout the course of their growth.
Fall phenological development is conducted to better understand the environmental drivers of phenology, to bridge the differences between satellite-derived and assessments of phenology; to analyze the development of models that simulate phenological development and assess changes in phenological timing among a population. It is important to determine the response of autumn phenology to climate change in forest ecosystems, as phenological variations affect carbon balance, forest productivity, and biodiversity (variety of life in an ecosystem). Monitoring phenology is critical for determining the switchover dates of Carbon Dioxide assimilation/fixation (the conversion process of carbon dioxide to organic compounds by living organisms) and facilitating the calculation of primary productivity and the characterization of land surface physical processes and biochemical cycles. The observations can provide more complete and detailed information on leaf phenological development between and within species and between different phenophases during phenological progression. Major components of life such as food supply depend on the timing of phenological events. Evaluating the changes in phenological development with the trees of Downer Woods allow us to draw similarities with the climate change that is affecting our world today.
