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Woody Plant Phenology in a Changing Climate

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A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Meteorology and Climate Change".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 August 2024) | Viewed by 8331

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Yanjun Du

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Guest Editor

College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Interests: forest phenology; biogeography; community ecology

Prof. Dr. Miaogen Shen

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
Interests: plant phenology; climate change ecology; vegetation remote sensing; alpine ecosystem; global change ecology
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Dear Colleagues,

Plant phenology underpins a variety of aspects of ecosystem function and is a vital determinant of species distribution. A growing body of literature suggests that spring phenology has advanced significantly in the northern hemisphere as a response to climate change. However, phenological responses to warming across species, time and space still need to be tested because of the unclear mechanisms underlying the phenological processes, such as the interactions between temperature and other environmental cues, the nonlinear effects of temperature, high variation in temperature sensitivity among species, and impacts of biotic factors. This Special Issue intends to integrate cutting-edge research into our understanding of climate-driven changes in woody plant phenology in various ecosystems, including temperate, subtropical, tropical, arctic and alpine regions, and responses of vegetation phenology to climate change.

The issue aims to provide a platform for researchers working on woody plant phenology to publish their recent studies related to the effects of plant phenology and vegetation phenology in a changing climate. We will accept high-quality original research papers, full reviews and short communications.

We welcome submissions related, but not limited to, the following topics:

Relationships between woody plants phenology and climate factors or other drivers;
Responses of vegetation phenology to climate change;
Phenological mismatches between plant phenology and pollinators/seed dispersers;
Influences of woody plants phenological changes on ecosystem structure and functions;
Relationships between woody plants phenology and human society (agricultural activities, diseases and health issues (such as pollen allergies), tourism, etc.).

Prof. Dr. Yanjun Du
Prof. Dr. Miaogen Shen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

forest phenology
woody species
remote sensing
vegetation
climate change

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 4157 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chilling and Forcing Requirements of Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox L.) Flowering in China

by Yulong Hao, Junhu Dai, Mengyao Zhu, Lijuan Cao and Khurram Shahzad

Forests 2024, 15(10), 1832; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15101832 - 20 Oct 2024

Viewed by 675

Abstract

Numerous studies have reported phenological changes and their driving mechanisms in spring flowering plants. However, there is little research on the shifts of winter flowering phenology and its response to forcing and chilling requirements. Based on the China Phenological Observation Network (CPON) ground observation data from nine sites over the past 20 years, we explored the spatial and temporal variation patterns of flowering plants and their response to chilling and forcing in wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox L.), a common winter flowering plant species in temperate and subtropical zones of China. We used three chilling models (chilling hour, Utah, and dynamic models) and the growing degree hours (GDHs) model to calculate each site’s daily chilling and forcing. Using the partial least squares (PLSs) regression approach, we established the relationship between the first flowering date (FFD) and pre-season chilling and forcing in wintersweet, based on which we identified chilling and forcing periods and calculated chilling and forcing requirements. This study found that the FFD of wintersweet in China showed an overall advancement trend during the last 20 years. Still, there were temporal and spatial differences in the FFD of wintersweet among different sites. The PLS results showed that wintersweet also had periods of chilling and forcing, both of which co-regulated wintersweet flowering. We found the forcing and chilling requirements of wintersweet varied significantly from site to site. The higher the latitude is, the more chilling requirements are needed. The chilling requirements for wintersweet were about 6.9–34.9 Chill Portions (CPs) and 1.4–21.6 CP in the temperate and subtropical zones, respectively, with corresponding forcing requirements of 3.2–1922.9 GDH and 965.3–8482.6 GDH, respectively. In addition, we found that the temperature requirements of wintersweet were correlated by a negative exponential relationship, suggesting that chilling and forcing requirements have an antagonistic effect on initiating flowering phenology. Our results could help us understand how flowering dates of winter flowering plants respond to climate change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Woody Plant Phenology in a Changing Climate)

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20 pages, 12381 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Shifts in Plant Phenology and Its Responses to Climate Warming in Three Temperate Cities of China during 1963–2020

by Lijuan Cao, Shaozhi Lin, Wei Liu, Chengxi Gao, Wenrui Bai, Mengyao Zhu, Yulong Hao, Xingming Hao and Junhu Dai

Forests 2024, 15(10), 1712; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15101712 - 27 Sep 2024

Viewed by 633

Abstract

The advance of spring phenology and the delay of autumn phenology caused by global warming have been documented by many studies. However, most research has focused on natural areas, with limited studies conducted on phenological observations in urban environments. Here, we selected the first flowering date (FFD), first leaf date (FLD), and leaf coloring date (LCD) at three sites (Beijing, Harbin, and Mudanjiang) from the China Phenological Observation Network. We analyzed the phenological changes of 84 species between 1963–1991 and 1992–2020 to examine their response to urban warming. We then quantified the correlations and regressions between phenological events and preseason temperature. The results show the following: (1) Among the three sites, the mean FFD and FLD were earliest in Beijing, while the mean LCD occurred earliest in Harbin and latest in Beijing. (2) FFD and FLD exhibited a significant trend towards earlier occurrences at all three sites, while LCD showed a significant delay trend except for the Mudanjiang site. Specifically, at the Beijing, Harbin, and Mudanjiang sites, the mean FFD advanced by 8.32 days, 6.11 days, and 2.60 days in the latter period (p < 0.05), whereas the mean FLD advanced by 11.30 days, 7.21 days, and 5.02 days (p < 0.05), respectively. (3) In Beijing, Harbin, and Mudanjiang, both FFD and FLD were significantly negatively correlated with preseason temperature. However, no consistent relationship was observed between LCD and preseason temperature. These results enhance our understanding of the response of plant phenology to urban warming. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Woody Plant Phenology in a Changing Climate)

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15 pages, 7917 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Early-Season Drought on the Peak of Growing Season in China Varies by Drought Timing and Biomes

by Zexing Tao, Junhu Dai, Xiaoyue Wang and Yuan Wang

Forests 2024, 15(6), 1027; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15061027 - 13 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 818

Abstract

The peak of growing season (POG) represents the timing of the maximum capacity of vegetation photosynthesis and acts as a crucial phenological indicator for the carbon cycle in terrestrial ecosystems. However, little is known about how POG responds to extreme climate events such as drought across different biomes. Based on two drought indices, we analyzed the temporal–spatial pattern of drought and POG in China and then investigated how drought influenced the POG in different periods of the early season through correlation analysis. In general, a trend towards increased aridity and earlier POG was found in most areas. The impact of drought on POG differed among periods. On the one hand, an earlier POG enabled plants to reduce evapotranspiration and mitigate the risk of severe summer drought. On the other hand, the drought that occurred in spring impeded plant growth and caused a delay in spring phenology, thereby postponing POG. Summer drought led to an earlier POG in relatively dry biomes but inversely led to a later peak in photosynthetic activity in wetter biomes. We also observed a 1-month/2-month lagged effect of drought on POG in almost half of the areas and a 2-month/ 3-month cumulative effect of drought in the north of 50° N. These findings enhance our understanding of carbon uptake in terrestrial ecosystems by clarifying the mechanisms by which climate change impacts vegetation growth and photosynthetic activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Woody Plant Phenology in a Changing Climate)

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15 pages, 7359 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Large Differences in Bud Burst and Senescence between Low- and High-Altitude European Beech Populations along an Altitudinal Transect in the South-Eastern Carpathians

by Mihnea Ioan Cezar Ciocîrlan, Elena Ciocîrlan, Dănuț Chira, Gheorghe Raul Radu, Victor Dan Păcurar, Emanuel Beșliu, Ourania Grigoriadou Zormpa, Oliver Gailing and Alexandru Lucian Curtu

Forests 2024, 15(3), 468; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15030468 - 2 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1211

Abstract

Phenology is considered an indicator of environmental changes, with direct implications in the length of the growing season; therefore, it offers essential information for a better understanding of the tree–environment relationships that could lead to the right decisions for forests’ sustainable use and conservation. A better understanding of how European beech (Fagus sylvatica) phenology responds to predicted climate change effects is important for forest management. This study aimed to assess bud burst and senescence among and within beech populations located along a steep elevational gradient. Phenological observations were carried out on 150 beech individuals along an altitudinal transect in the south-eastern Carpathian Mountains, from 550 to 1450 m, in five study sites in two consecutive years. The start of the bud burst, of senescence, and the duration of the growing season varied inversely proportionally to the elevational gradient in both monitored years. Individuals located at the highest altitude need 28 more days to start the growing season than those at the lowest altitude. There is an average difference of 14 days at the start of the growing season in the same beech populations between the two consecutive years. The first stage of senescence (yellowing of leaves) lasted longer in 2021 (21–32 days) than in 2022 (18–25 days), with a difference of 16%–28%, proportional to the increase in altitude. The association of field phenological data with meteorological data indicates that the start of the growing season occurs when the thermal threshold of 10 °C is exceeded, with an accumulation of a least 60 GDD (growing degree days) with a threshold of 0 °C in the last 7 days as a complementary condition. The appearance of the first stage of senescence, the yellowing of the leaves, was also influenced by the temperature and the accumulation of at least 72 SDD (senescence degree days) with a threshold of 0 °C in the last 7 days. Our results confirm that the temperature is the triggering meteorological factor for the onset of bud burst and leaf senescence in European beech. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Woody Plant Phenology in a Changing Climate)

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20 pages, 10522 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phenology of Vegetation in Arid Northwest China Based on Sun-Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence

by Zhizhong Chen, Mei Zan, Jingjing Kong, Shunfa Yang and Cong Xue

Forests 2023, 14(12), 2310; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14122310 - 24 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1200

Abstract

The accurate monitoring of vegetation phenology is critical for carbon sequestration and sink enhancement. Vegetation phenology in arid zones is more sensitive to climate responses; therefore, it is important to conduct research on phenology in arid zones in response to global climate change. This study compared the applicability of the enhanced vegetation index (EVI), which is superior in arid zones, and global solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (GOSIF), which has a high spatial resolution, in extracting vegetation phenology in arid zones, and explored the mechanism of the differences in the effects of environmental factors on the phenology of different vegetation types. Therefore, this study employed a global solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (GOSIF) dataset to determine the start and end of the vegetation growth season (SOS_SIF and EOS_SIF, respectively) in the arid zone of Northwest China from 2001 to 2019. The results were compared with those from the EVI-based MODIS climate product MCD12Q2 (SOS_EVI and EOS_EVI). Variations in the sensitivity of these climatic datasets concerning temperature, precipitation, and standardised precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) were assessed through partial correlation analysis. Results: Compared to the MCD12Q2 climatic products, SOS_SIF and EOS_SIF closely matched the observed climate data in the study area. Spring onset was delayed at higher altitudes and latitudes, and the end of the growing season occurred earlier in these areas. Both SOS_SIF and EOS_SIF significantly advanced from 2001 to 2019 (trend degrees −0.22 and −0.48, respectively). Spring vegetation phenology was chiefly influenced by precipitation while autumn vegetation phenology was driven by both precipitation and SPEI. GOSIF-based climate data provides a more accurate representation of vegetation phenology compared to traditional vegetation indices. The findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the potential ability of EVI and SIF to reveal the influence of vegetation phenology on the carbon cycle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Woody Plant Phenology in a Changing Climate)

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12 pages, 1093 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Temperature, Precipitation, and CO₂ on Plant Phenology in China: A Circular Regression Approach

by Yi Tang, Wenhao Zhou and Yi Du

Forests 2023, 14(9), 1844; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14091844 - 11 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1589

Abstract

Leveraging circular regression, this study analyzed phenological data from China spanning the period 2003 to 2015, meticulously examining the effects of temperature, precipitation, and CO₂ concentrations on the phenological patterns of woody and herbaceous plants. For woody plants, the results showed that rising temperatures and increased precipitation notably advanced early growth phases, such as budburst, leaf unfolding, and first flowering (p < 0.001). Specifically, CO₂ concentrations had a pronounced impact on the leaf unfolding phase (p < 0.001). In contrast, autumnal events, particularly fruit maturity, autumn coloring, and leaf fall, were delayed by warmer temperatures and higher precipitation (p < 0.001), Of these events, only fruit maturity demonstrated sensitivity to CO₂ concentration variations. In the realm of herbaceous plants, elevated temperatures and precipitation collectively hastened the budburst phase (p < 0.001), which is an effect further accentuated by high CO₂ levels (p < 0.001). Moreover, rising temperatures and augmented precipitation were instrumental in advancing the flowering phase (p < 0.001). Conversely, warmer conditions slowed down the fruiting process (p < 0.001), with this delay somewhat mitigated by the effects of increased precipitation. Interestingly, while CO₂ concentrations had negligible influence on the flowering and fruiting stages, they noticeably delayed seed dispersal and the initiation of senescence (p < 0.001). Overall, the prevailing trend suggests that plants, whether woody or herbaceous in nature, tend to prolong their growth season under warmer and more humid conditions. The influence of CO₂ concentration, however, is contingent upon the specific phenological phase and plant type. Our findings emphasize the nuanced and stage-specific responses of plant phenology to temperature, precipitation, and CO₂, highlighting the value of using circular regression in ecological studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Woody Plant Phenology in a Changing Climate)

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12 pages, 2414 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reproductive Phenology and Climatic Drivers of Plant Species Used as Food by the Hainan Gibbon, Nomascus hainanus (Primates: Hylobatidae)

by Qianhuai Xue, Xiu Zeng, Yanjun Du and Wenxing Long

Forests 2023, 14(9), 1732; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14091732 - 27 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1321

Abstract

The timing of flowering and fruiting plays a critical role in the reproduction, population size, and range of fruit-eating animals. The Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, China, hosts one of the world’s most endangered primate species, the Hainan gibbon (Nomascus hainanus). Understanding the phenological patterns of the principal food sources of the Hainan gibbon is crucial for the effective management of their habitats and the conservation of this threatened population. To that end, we conducted a regression analysis to better understand how climate may impact the timing and availability of fruits known to support the Hainan gibbon. We observed significant seasonal and inter-annual variations in the reproductive phenology of these fruiting species, with most species flowering from March to June and fruiting from August to December. Importantly, we found that Hainan gibbons face severe food scarcity between January and April. We show that sunshine exerts a significant effect on the flowering time, while fruiting phenology is most sensitive to temperature. We suggest that the restoration of the Hainan gibbon habitat should include planting more tree species which that produce fruit in the time of low food availability between January-April, including the species Memecylon ligustrifolium, Wrightia pubescens, Sarcosperma laurinum, Eurya ciliata, and Pouteria annamensis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Woody Plant Phenology in a Changing Climate)

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