Phenology (Study of appearance) and its importance

Kajtárné Czinege, Anikó (2024) Phenology (Study of appearance) and its importance. GRADUS, 11 (3). ISSN 2064-8014

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Abstract

Phenology is the study of periodic biological events in the life cycles of plants and animals, and how these events are influenced by seasonal and interannual variations in climate and habitat factors. Typical phenomena that are studied in phenology include the timing of flowering, leaf unfolding, bird migration, breeding seasons, and animal hibernation. Phenological data is crucial for understanding ecological responses to climate change, as shifts in the timing of these biological events can affect species interactions, ecosystem dynamics, and food webs. For example, if a plant species flowers earlier due to warmer temperatures but its pollinators do not shift their life cycles accordingly, this can lead to mismatches in timing that affect reproduction. In recent years, the study of phenology has gained importance as scientists and conservationists look to understand the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and biodiversity.

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