A second workshop will concentrate on defining the role of phenology in global change studies, and developing a plan for the US. component of an international phenological network
A Phenological Study Group was founded in 1993 at the 13th Congress of the International Society of Biometeorology (ISB) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The four goals of the group are:
- To promote a global dialogue among phenologists, by compiling information on phenological research and data sets, and making this list available in electronic and printed form
- To use this global forum to encourage establishment and expansion of phenological networks for data exchange for international cooperation
- To explore methods of using phenology to stimulate public interest, especially among pupils and students
- To encourage research that correlates phenological trends with climatic trends, especially in the context of global change monitoring
At a May 1995 workshop in Germany, the Study Group was further developed, along with initial action plans for four working sub-groups: Network, Data Processing and Linkage, Modeling, and Education. The general focus of the main group is the use of phenological observations on wild and domesticated species as well as ecosystems (e.g., “green wave”) for the benefit of international programs addressing the impact of environmental change. Of particular interest is climate change and its monitoring. The ultimate goal is to create a global phenological observation system (International Phenological Network, IPN) with special attention to site locations within Biosphere Reserves, National Parks, and other natural preservation regions across all nations. Information from climate stations nearest the phenological observers will be incorporated into the IPN database.
Plans are under way for a second workshop, which will concentrate on defining the role of phenology in global change studies, and developing a plan for the U.S. component of the International Phenological Network.
For more information: Mark D. Schwartz, 414/229-3740, mds@csd.uwm.edu