Europe

Abstract

Europe has a long tradition of systematic phenological data collection from a range of different environments. In recent times this data has proved invaluable in demonstrating the impact of climate warming on our natural environment together with providing a means by which to ground truth remotely sensed information. However, since the networks evolved in different countries with different traditions of data observation and collection aggregation at a continental scale is challenging. Here we provide a snapshot of some of the professional and citizen science-based national phenology networks, and describe a number of recently established pan-European initiatives to explore ways to establish a standardized framework for plant monitoring, data collection, quality control and transfer. Finally, we highlight areas such as species or groups of high value for nature conservation which require further research.