Transcript Spring Budburst Study - Gallaudet University

Spring Budburst Study
A Research project
Model Secondary School for the Deaf
Indiana School for the Deaf
Spring 2007
Phenology
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The study of the seasonal timing of life cycle
events
Observe changes in plants and animals
– In our study: native tree species
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Determine the dates when critical events in the
plants annual growth cycle occur.
– In our study: bud burst
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Watch a Terra satellite movie.
Leaf buds
Bud Burst Phenology
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Budburst is an example of a phenological
cycle.
– The buds pop open at about the same time each
year.
– Assumes that the climate is similar year to year.
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Past MSSD research - poster display for 2002
Background Why study Budburst?
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The timing of budburst is influenced by
temperature and/or moisture.
The data will help researchers understand
climate change
Analysis of satellite data indicates change in
the growing season in some regions - getting
longer.
Could indicate that the planet is warming
We need ground-based data of specific species
to know things that cannot be seen from space.
Climate Change
Seasons have been very stable for past
500 + years.
 Natural variations: The climate has been
warmer & colder in the past history of
the Earth. Warm winters & cold winters
are natural.
 Why is the atmosphere changing now?
Because of human activity?
 Phenological studies help us understand
what is happening.
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Our research questions
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On what date will bud burst happen in 2007
in DC? Will it be the same in Indiana?
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How does 2007 compare with 2002?
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What controls budburst in DC… moisture
or temperature? Same in Indiana?
Procedure I
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Students will observe when budburst occurs on
selected trees in Washington D.C & Indiana
Procedure - cont.
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Select and mark a branch on the south side of the
tree. (use a compass)
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Find the Genus species of the tree.
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Describe the tree (circumference & height )
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Start at least 2 weeks before you expect budburst
- What date for MSSD?
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Visit the tree daily & observe the buds
What controls budburst?
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The trees do not read the calendar!
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Trees respond to the local environmental
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Budburst occurs when the trees sense
certain temperature or moisture conditions
– Which controls budburst in Washington, D.C.?
Scientists learn from student
measurments…
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Scientist can use our observations of budburst
along with our temperature and precipitation data
1.
Map annual dates of budburst across the
continents
2.
Establish the weather patterns that control
phenology in your area and across the world.
3.
Better understand how global vegetation
responds to interannual climate variability
Moisture or Temperature?
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Many plants in different areas of the world
require a set amount of warming to initiate
growth and minimize their risk of frost
damage.
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Growing degree summation (GDS) is a
common measure of warming used by
scientists.
Growing Degree Summation
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You need the maximum and minimum
temperature data for your school from
January first (if you live in the northern
hemisphere)
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or July first (if you live in the southern
hemisphere) up to and including the date of
budburst.
Moisture Availability
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Comparing the input of water to the surface with
the amount of water that could leave the surface.
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If input > output then it’s a moist environment
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If input < output, then it’s a drought
Moisture Availability
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Input: precipitation (both solid and liquid)
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Outputs: evaporation and transpiration.
– Transpiration is the process of water loss from
plants while they absorb CO2 for
photosynthesis.
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(Specific calculations later)
Procedure II
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We will record atmospheric conditions every
day…. GLOBE Atmosphere protocols.
– Temperature, rainfall, snowfall, cloud cover,
cloud type
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Starting now!!
Homework
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Read about climate change.
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Outline the information in the handout.
http://www.naturescalendar.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/78321DC5-E689-45789321-24F19F27F917/0/climatechange.pdf