D4.3 HL Phenology and Climate Change

These flashcards cover key concepts and details about Phenology, the impact of climate change, and examples of species affected by these changes, tailored for exam preparation.

What is Phenology?

The study of timing in nature, particularly how seasonal changes affect the life cycles of plants and animals.

What two key factors influence flowering timing?

Temperature and daylight.

What are buds?

Small undeveloped growth points on a plant that can develop into stems, leaves, flowers, or branches.

What is a shoot apical meristem?

The region in a bud that contains stem cells.

What is bud setting?

The process of forming a bud on a plant.

What is bud bursting?

The process of a bud opening to reveal its contents - a leaf, flower, or both.

Define photoperiod.

The amount of time during the day when there is light.

How do different plants respond to photoperiods?

Different plants may require different lengths of daylight to trigger flowering.

Why is timing of flowering important?

Because it affects synchronization with pollinators like bees.

What happens if a bee emerges from dormancy too early?

It may not find flowers available for food, leading to starvation.

What is a trophic mismatch?

A situation where the timing of food availability and the timing of consumers become out of sync.

What triggers reindeer migration?

Primarily by increases in daylight, but also influenced by temperature.

What triggers the flowering of the Arctic mouse-ear chickweed?

Temperature is the most important factor.

Why do reindeer prefer tundra for calving?

Because it has an open landscape allowing them to see predators and is free of trees that can hide threats.

What happens to daylight patterns during climate change?

Daylight hours remain unchanged, but temperatures rise.

What effect does global warming have on plant phenology?

It causes some plants to bloom earlier than normal.

How does climate change impact caterpillar availability for the great tit?

If caterpillars emerge earlier due to warmer temperatures, there won't be enough available when great tit chicks hatch.

What advantage does the brown tawny owl have in a warming climate?

It blends better with the earth's environment as snow decreases, giving it a predation advantage over the gray tawny owl.

What is the significance of the spruce bark beetle's life cycle?

Under normal conditions they produce one generation a year (univoltine), but warming temperatures enable them to produce two generations (bivoltine).

What is the consequence of spruce bark beetles having more generations?

An increase in their population can lead to more trees being destroyed.

What type of owl is affected by changes in climate?

The tawny owl, also known as the brown owl.

What is natural selection?

The process through which species evolve by passing advantageous traits to successive generations.

Why do older trees get attacked by spruce bark beetles?

Older trees have more phloem and are less capable of producing defense mechanisms.

What happens to caterpillars when temperatures rise?

They hatch earlier and may not be available when their predators’ chicks need them.

What does a decline in snow levels lead to for gray tawny owls?

It reduces their camouflage, making it harder for them to catch prey.

Which has greater impact on great tit egg-laying: temperature or daylight?

Daylight, as it triggers their egg-laying cycle.

In contexts of climate change, how does temperature affect the life cycles of organisms?

Warmer temperatures can alter the timing of life cycle events, leading to mismatches.

What term describes animals that can produce two generations per year?

Bivoltine.

What is the seasonal behavior of reindeer during winter?

They migrate south to warmer taiga environments.

What is the primary reason reindeer migrate?

To calve and find food for their young.

How does a shifting photoperiod affect plant flowering?

It can either advance or delay the flowering based on the species' specific requirements.

What happens to reindeer populations when their migration is too early or late?

They may face food shortages, leading to lower survival rates.

How do reindeer signal the need to return south for winter?

By decreasing daylight triggers their migration back.

What critical role do bees play in flower reproduction?

They pollinate flowers, facilitating fertilization and reproduction.

What is one ecological consequence of altered phenological events due to global warming?

Disruption in food web dynamics between species.

What impact does the spruce bark beetle have on forestry?

Increased population leads to significantly more tree damage.

In the context of climate change, how might the tawny owl's coloration affect its survival?

The brown morph may have better survival rates as it withstands warmer climates better than the gray morph.

What long-term effect might climate change have on species with specific temperature cues?

They might struggle to adapt to shifting habitats and food sources.

How might warmer temperatures affect the reproductive success of species?

It can create mismatches between the timing of reproduction and food availability.

Define the term univoltine.

When a species produces one generation per year.

What does the term bivoltine mean?

When a species can produce two generations per year.

What role does temperature play in the developmental cycle of the spruce bark beetle?

Higher temperatures may allow them to produce more generations annually.

What happens to the caterpillar population timing due to global warming?

They will become available earlier, potentially not matching with the predators that feed on them.

What are the implications of climate change on bird migration patterns?

Birds may migrate earlier or later based on shifts in daylight and temperature.