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Citizen science data spanning two centuries illuminate changes in plant phenology

Fri, Jul 22, 2022
Publication Summary

The authors compared a historical dataset of plant phenology recorded in New York state from 1826-1872 to contemporary observations collected through Nature’s Notebook from 2009-2017. On average, plants flower 10.5 days earlier and leaf out 19 days earlier now than 200 years ago. The authors found impacts of urbanization, greater advancement of flowering timing in earlier season species and greater advancement in trees and shrubs than forbs, and greater advancement in insect-pollinated species. The standardized observations you record in Nature’s Notebook are invaluable for understanding the direction and magnitude of changes in the timing of life cycle events of plants and animals.

Project Overview:

Learn more about these species on the species profile pages and Pheno Forecast pages linked below. You'll find a phenophase photo guide linked at the bottom of each species profile page to help you with identification of key life cycle events, such as active caterpillars and active adults. Each Pheno Forecast page shows maps of which locations have reached key life cycle event stages this year, and gives information on why managers care about that species. 

Project Overview:

HOW TO PARTICIPATE...

1. Obtain your cloned plants.
Cloned lilacs are available for purchase from JungSeed.com at a cost of $12 per plant. 

If you prefer to track plants which are already established at your site, we also welcome observations on common lilac (Syringa vulgaris). 

Project Overview:

How to Participate

1. Join Nature's Notebook. If you haven't already, create a Nature's Notebook account. If you need more details on getting started, take the Observer Certification Course at learning.usanpn.org. You can set up a phenology monitoring site in your backyard or another location that you frequent. 

2. Select one or more of the following species to track:

Project Overview:

How to Participate

1. Join Nature's Notebook. If you haven't already, create a Nature's Notebook account. If you need more details on getting started, take the Observer Certification Course at learning.usanpn.org. 

Project Overview:

How to Participate:

1. Select one (or more) individual plants to track. We are interested in any species on the Nature's Notebook list from the genera listed below:

Project Overview:

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

1. Create an account in Nature's Notebook and create a site for monitoring phenology. Need a tip on where to find these plants? Visit the University of Minnesota's Find Pesky Plants webpage. If you need more details on getting started, take the Observer Certification Course at learning.usanpn.org.

Project Overview:

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

1. Join Nature's Notebook. If you haven't already, create a Nature's Notebook account. If you need more details on getting started, take the Observer Certification Course at learning.usanpn.org.

2. Select one (or more) individual maple, oak, or poplar trees to track from the list below, and add it to your site.

Project Overview:

JOIN US!

You can learn about these important nectar sources for monarchs and other pollinators by observing flowering of nectar plants in your own backyard, a nearby park, or other location you frequent! Your reports will help resource managers like the US Fish and Wildlife Service to better understand where and when nectar sources are available for monarchs and other pollinators across the United States so that they can take necessary steps to conserve and promote habitat for these pollinators.

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