Phenology: Green-Up Protocol GLOBE Green-Up Protocol Elena Bautista Sparrow International Arctic Research Center and School of Natural Resources and Agricultural

Phenology: Green-Up Protocol

GLOBE Green-Up Protocol

Elena Bautista SparrowInternational Arctic Research Center and

School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences

University of Alaska Fairbanks

March 29, 2007


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


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?


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?


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


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.

May1987

March1987


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


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


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


Collecting Data: Field/Lab Guides & Data SheetsField/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


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 genusFor Tree or Shrub:• Select one or more dominant, native,

deciduous trees/shrubs• Select and flag a healthy, good-sized

branch on the equator-facing sideFor Grass:• Select a one-meter square area

dominated by grass plants


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 VisitFor 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

. : ::

.:


Enter Data on the GLOBE Web SiteGreen-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


Enter Data on the GLOBE Web SiteGreen-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


Looking at the DataGreen-Up of Betula Papyrifera

Innoko River School, Shageluk, AK, US Spring, 2005

02468

101214161820222426283032343638

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

May

Lea

f L

eng

th (

mm

)

Leaf 1Leaf 2Leaf 3Leaf 4

Bud SwellingBud Burst


• 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


Classroom Implementation

• Inquiry

• Curriculum/Standards Alignment

• Assessment

• Classroom Management


Getting Started• The GLOBE Web site has information

http://www.globe.gov

• GLOBE Help Desk or your Country Coordinator can support you as you get started.

• Get your students involved doing real science!



Plant Phenology: Green-down

Documents

Phenology: Green-Up Protocol GLOBE Green-Up Protocol Elena Bautista Sparrow International Arctic Research Center and School of Natural Resources and Agricultural