Graphical representation of real time phenological information for the purpose of quality control, Citizen Science participation, media and climate impact monitoring

Via electronic media like smart phone apps volunteer observers of phenological networks are able the immediately transmit their eye observations and photographs to the data base. Based on such real time observations some phenological network operators provide graphical displays of the current phenological development on their respective home pages. The graphical representation of near real time phenological observations allow a number of interesting and useful applications.

The numbers of phenological observations and of reporting observers can be monitored in real time. They typically reflect the seasonal variation of the frequency of phenological events with a strong spring maximum and a lesser autumn maximum. The effect of phenology related media releases on observation numbers can be assessed as well. The long term trend of active observer and observation numbers helps to evaluate the measures for recruiting and encouraging volunteer observers.

Another application is the quality control of phenological observations. Photographs of plants and their phases might be checked by the network operator and in case of species or phase misidentification the observer might be contacted for feedback from the operator. Many phenological phases display a distinct regression with station elevation, which helps to detect outliers via scatter plots.

Phenological real time observations are the basis for monthly phenology reports, which are published for instance on the phenowatch home page during the phenologically active season (www.phenowatch.at). In mid- to higher latitudes the sequence of cold/warm events are well reflected by the variations of the phenological progress.

The current phenological development of fruit trees may be combined with the expected daily minimum temperatures and thus provide a hint to potential late frost damage events during the frost sensitive flowering period.

Another application of real time phenological observations has emerged due to sponsoring of biodiversity enhancing measures for grassland (“The European Green Deal” for instance). Grass cutting dates can be optimised via phenological real time observations. Thus cutting dates are not unnecessarily late to the disadvantage of the farmer nor too early to the disadvantage of biodiversity.

Finally, monitoring phenological trends might be the most exciting topic to be accomplished via real time phenological observations. Currently observed phenological entry dates can be related to long term trends, whether they indicate a continuation, flattening or steepening of the trends. At the next level questions dealing with explanations of the trends, potential future phenological changes and their significances might be investigated. Climate impact on ecosystems as exemplified by phenology constitutes an important motivation to continue with the operation of phenological observation networks.

The phenology team at GeoSphere Austria, Austria’s national weather service, created during the last couple of years a number of graphical representations for the above mentioned purposes, which are being introduced in this poster.