Phenology and Environmental Change: Challenges and Opportunities The High Plains Initiative for Integrated Phenology University of Nebraska

Ecosystem Scope The High Plains Initiative for Integrated Phenology University of Nebraska Jstore—See Aldo Leopold’s manuscript on phenology indicators.Jstore—See Aldo Leopold’s manuscript on phenology indicators. Are there ideal criteria (or data needed) for a phenological indicator species—green-up, photoperiod sensitivity vs. insensitivity, temperature sensitivity, vernalization?Are there ideal criteria (or data needed) for a phenological indicator species—green-up, photoperiod sensitivity vs. insensitivity, temperature sensitivity, vernalization? How many plants (2 perennials, 2 annuals, etc.)?How many plants (2 perennials, 2 annuals, etc.)? How many years/environments are needed to be representative of a reasonable time period for study?How many years/environments are needed to be representative of a reasonable time period for study? Also need to consider upgrading our website to show the phenological stages.Also need to consider upgrading our website to show the phenological stages. Understand our genotypes—use our knowledge of crop genetics.Understand our genotypes—use our knowledge of crop genetics.

Ecosystem Scope The High Plains Initiative for Integrated Phenology University of Nebraska Managed ecosystems: Crops –Can we collect data that can be used? Is there other data that we can take to make more complete data sets? –Perennials (tie to the rangeland sciences and grapes), winter annuals, spring annuals –How close is the phenology tied to time of planting; or prior weather—seed quality, fall growth? –In perennials, how is phenology affected by previous year effects; prior weather? –Can the managed ecosystems be tied unmanaged ecosystems?

Ecosystem Scope The High Plains Initiative for Integrated Phenology University of Nebraska Managed ecosystems: Crops –How can the data be used—what is the impact on agriculture and our food systems? –Is the lengthening fall as much or more a concern than the start of spring? Are there signature plants for late season—perennials, annuals, etc. –Are there end of season traits that can be used to study phenology and climate? Late flowering plant? –How do we link to models?

Ecosystem Scope The High Plains Initiative for Integrated Phenology University of Nebraska Unmanaged ecosystems: –Migratory birds –Grasshoppers (APHIS--those that overwinter as nymphs vs. those that overwinter as eggs). They have different feeding habits. –Wildflowers –Hessian fly/ wheat head army worm, other insects— other crops. Predator/pest cycles, etc. related to the “strength” of the winter. –Diseases (Cereal Disease Laboratory)—aerial fungi, vectored viruses. –Tie to lilac data.

Ecosystem Scope The High Plains Initiative for Integrated Phenology University of Nebraska Outreach to students and alumni, science teacher associations, coop climate teams, master gardeners and groundskeepers at universities and schools, Audubon Society, Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, National Association of Garden Clubs, FFA?, 4-H, APHIS and state departments of agriculture. Finding the groups that are dedicated. Finding the long term data sets.

Ecosystem Scope The High Plains Initiative for Integrated Phenology University of Nebraska Grapes: Note not clonal Budbreak Bloom Onset of ripening—veraison Hardening—bark formation and color change Rose of Sharon— Soybeans---if added planting date, first leaf, bloom. National Resource Soil Conservation Germplasm Centers