Phänologie - Naturkalender - Phenowatch

Since 1851, we have been researching the changes in weather, climate and nature and what this means for us humans by observing plants and animals. These phenological observations help, for example, in climate research, agriculture and pollen forecasting in order to better deal with climate change.

What are the aims of the project?

Plants act as an integrating measuring instrument for a variety of environmental factors such as weather conditions in the past and current vegetation year. If one analyzes the temporal course of phenological observation data, the influencing factor of air temperature becomes clear, especially in the spring phases in Austria, both in short-term fluctuations and in long-lasting trends. Phenology is therefore an ideal bio-indicator for gradual changes in the climate. Research objectives include

• Climate monitoring in addition to instrumental measurements.
• Temperature sensitivity of phenological events - Does the sensitivity of plants change with the temporal shift of phenological phases?
• Groundtruthing of vegetation indices from satellite observations.
• Further basic plant physiological research - future phenological modeling on an even more plant process-oriented basis.

How can you participate in research?

Find your favorite trees and shrubs in your favorite location and observe and document their development from bud burst and the start of flowering to fruit ripening, leaf coloration and leaf fall through the ten phenological seasons. We are looking for the date for the start of the respective development phases of the so-called indicator plants. You can send this to us in the "Nature Calendar" app with a photo or in the traditional way using a paper form. You can find all the information you need on our website.

• Important indicator plants Important indicator plants
• Snowdrop blossom Snowdrop blossom
• Black elderberry Black elderberry
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