Phenology: Green-Up Protocol GLOBE Green-Up Protocol Elena Bautista Sparrow International Arctic Research Center and School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences University of Alaska Fairbanks March 29, 2007

Phenology: Green-Up Protocol Goals for the Training Session Provide an inquiry context for the data collection and science content Provide accurate science content Review procedures for data collection Review data entry and analysis Discuss classroom implementation ideas Collect feedback from participants

Phenology: Green-Up Protocol Inquiry Context How long does green-up take for a given species? How does green-up differ among different species within a forested study area? How does green-up relate to precipitation? To soil moisture? Does temperature influence the rate of green-up?

Phenology: Green-Up Protocol Local Inquiry Example How does green-up vary within a tree How does the rate of green-up of a dominant species vary within your city or town?

Phenology: Green-Up Protocol Why do GLOBE scientists research green-up? To calculate growing season length and monitor interannual changes in growing season duration To determine how environmental conditions such as air and soil temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, and day length affect plant growth To monitor the nature and extent of climate change and its effects on plants and animals To help interpret satellite observations of greenness

Phenology: Green-Up Protocol Science Content: What is green-up? Green-up is the beginning of phenological changes that signal the start of a growing season for most plants. May 1987 March 1987

Phenology: Green-Up Protocol Science Content: Important Definitions Swelling is seen when the bud is getting bigger. Dormancy is a state of suspended growth and metabolism. Budburst is the emergence of new leaves (photosynthetically active foliage) on plants, which signals the beginning of a new growing season cycle. Photos courtesy of Mike Dunn

Phenology: Green-Up Protocol Instruments: Green-Up GPS Receiver Local Tree Identification Guide Compass Meter stick or tape measure (for grass study site) Ruler (in mm) Camera Flagging Tape & Marker

Phenology: Green-Up Protocol The Measurements Green-Up Study Site Definition –GPS Measurement –Tree and shrub species or grass genus –Study Site pictures Green-Up Protocol –For tree or shrub: date, bud condition or leaf length on four buds of the same branch –For grass: date, blade length on first four shoots to emerge

Phenology: Green-Up Protocol Collecting Data: Field/Lab Guides & Data Sheets Field/Lab Guides: Tree and Shrub Green-Up and Green-Down Site Selection Field Guide or Grass Green-Up and Green-Down Site Selection Field Guide GPS Protocol Field Guide Tree and Shrub Green-Up Protocol Field Guide or Grass Green- Up Protocol Field Guide Data Sheets: Green-Up and Green-Down Site Definition Sheet GPS Investigation Data Sheet Tree and Shrub Green-Up Data Sheet or Grass Green-Up Data Sheet

Phenology: Green-Up Protocol Collecting Data: Green-Up and Green-Down Study Site Site Selection At least 2 weeks before budburst Convenient location Native trees/shrubs or grasses that are not watered or fertilized are preferred Tree and Shrub or Grass Selection Identify dominant tree and shrub species or grass genus For Tree or Shrub: Select one or more dominant, native, deciduous trees/shrubs Select and flag a healthy, good-sized branch on the equator-facing side For Grass: Select a one-meter square area dominated by grass plants

Phenology: Green-Up Protocol First Time Locate and mark green grass shoot or bud at end of selected branch Locate and mark three other closest buds or shoots Photograph your site Every Visit For Tree or Shrub: Examine each bud and determine if it is: Dormant, Swelling, Budburst, Length or Lost Continue measuring until leaf stops increasing in length For Grass: Examine each shoot and determine if it is: No Shoot, Length or Lost Continue measuring until leaf stops increasing in length Collecting Data: Protocol mm. : : :. :

Phenology: Green-Up Protocol Enter Data on the GLOBE Web Site Green-Up and Green-Down Study Site Definition Step 1: Select “Define a Green-Up/Green-Down Study Site” from the Phenology data entry menu Step 2: Enter the Study Site information Step 3: Click “Send Data” button Step 4: Confirm data entries on verification page

Phenology: Green-Up Protocol Enter Data on the GLOBE Web Site Green-Up Protocol Step 1: Confirm that a Green-Up Study Site has been defined Step 2: Select “Green-Up” from the Phenology data entry menu Step 3: Select your Study Site, enter the date and growing season cycle Step 4: Enter data for the leaves/buds from each line of the data sheet, one at a time Step 5: Confirm data entries on verification page

Phenology: Green-Up Protocol Looking at the Data

Phenology: Green-Up Protocol Observe trees, twice weekly, starting at least two weeks before initial budburst. Report date of budburst when you see leaves breaking out of the buds in three different branches of each tree. Phenology: Budburst

Phenology: Green-Up Protocol Classroom Implementation Inquiry Curriculum/Standards Alignment Assessment Classroom Management

Phenology: Green-Up Protocol Getting Started The GLOBE Web site has information GLOBE Help Desk or your Country Coordinator can support you as you get started. Get your students involved doing real science!

Phenology: Green-Up Protocol

Plant Phenology: Green-down