Global framework for data collection - Data bases, data availability, future networks, online databases

Abstract

Since the 1990s, phenology has regained scientific interest as a biological indicator for climate change (Schwartz 2003). Menzel and Fabian (1999) and Chmielewski and Rötzer (2001) were able to demonstrate with the observation series of the International Phenological Gardens' network that spring has advanced in Europe and autumn has come later. The autumn signal is not as significant as the earlier onset of spring, however, which results in a longer vegetation period in the middle and higher northern latitudes. The growing interest in, and importance of, phenology is also visible in the report of Working Group II, Assessment of observed changes and responses in natural and managed systems (Rosenzweig et al. 2007) of the 4th assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.