Current Nature: Phenology Fun

Spring has arrived, just in time for National Phenology Week! Spring is a great time of year to dive into phenology, which is the study of the timing and patterns of events in the natural world, like the annual life cycles of plants, animals, and other living things. These events include the budding of leaves, the arrival of migratory birds, the flowering of plants, and the onset of fruit ripening. Phenology is a vital field of ecological research that helps us understand how organisms respond to environmental cues such as day length, temperature, and rainfall, and how climate change can impact these seasonal changes.

Here on Nantucket, we look to specific signs that spring is here. One very audible sign is the calling of Spring Peepers, which has begun in the last week or so. Many of us look forward to blooming daffodils to signal winter’s end, and the Osprey’s arrival tells us spring is here. Studying and tracking these everyday events can tell us a lot about the environment and how it is changing.

Phenology is a key part of the research we do at Linda Loring Nature Foundation. Across our 275-acre property, eight sites are monitored for changes in native shrubs like Black Cherry, Bayberry, and Scrub Oak. These sites also have temperature sensors so we can record that data along with when plants are budding, fruiting, and shedding leaves. LLNF has collected a decade’s worth of data on the phenology of native species on our property, which serves as a baseline for tracking environmental changes. We can compare data across different years to get a big-picture look at what’s happening with these plants.

You might be wondering, “What’s the big deal? Who cares when a Black Cherry flowers?”, but remember that everything in nature is connected. If a plant’s flowers bloom early, then they will form fruit early. Insects that depend on the flower’s nectar will emerge at the “usual” time, and be left without a food source because the flowers have come and gone already. And the plant will miss out on the pollination from these insects, too. When a mismatch in phenology occurs, the ripple effect on the food web can impact a species’ survival.

LLNF’s research is part of the National Phenology Network, an organization that collects, organizes, and shares phenological data to create a broad understanding of phenology. This data is essential for researchers, policymakers, and land managers to make decisions that affect our environment. You can follow along with us and NPN to learn more about phenology. LLNF was honored to be selected as the 2023 PhenoChampions by NPN, an award that was just recently presented in March during National Phenology Week!

Phenology research is a great outlet for Community, or Citizen, Science. When the public contributes information to a scientific project, that’s what we call Community Science. Community Science projects have volunteers who work alongside scientists to collect and manage data for real-world research projects. Dozens of volunteers (students and adults alike) have contributed to our phenology research. All you need is a notebook, a pen, and a keen eye! We look closely at buds, flowers, and fruit to determine exactly what “phenophase” a plant is in. You can also discover phenology in your yard or garden- which you may be doing already without realizing it! This spring, jot down the date your crocuses popped up, or when the lilac bush formed buds. Phenology is a fun way to become more connected to the natural world and appreciate the small changes happening every day.

Stay tuned for more editions of Current Nature, a biweekly column from the Linda Loring Nature Foundation featuring seasonal topics, natural history information, and advice on the outdoors!