Open AccessImplementing a U.S. National Phenology Network
Author(s) -
Betancourt Julio L.,
Schwartz Mark D.,
Breshears David D.,
Cayan Daniel R.,
Dettinger Michael D.,
Inouye David W.,
Post Eric,
Reed Bradley C.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/2005eo510005
Subject(s) - phenology , hibernation (computing) , ecology , trait , biology , life history theory , natural selection , reproduction , life history , climate change , selection (genetic algorithm) , state (computer science) , algorithm , artificial intelligence , computer science , programming language
The passing of seasons, as gauged by annual events or phenophases in organisms' life cycles, is arguably one of the most pervasive environmental variations on Earth. Shifts in seasonal timing, or phenology, are observed in flowering and other stages of plant development, animal migration and reproduction, hibernation, and the seasonal activity of cold‐blooded animals [e.g., Schwartz , 2003; Root et al ., 2005]. As an important life history trait, phenology is an object of natural selection; depending on timescales, shifts in phenology can lead to evolutionary change. Thus, phenology is not only an indicator of pattern in environmental science, but also its variation has fitness consequences for individuals, and these can scale up to broader ecological dynamics.