Phenology and Climate Change

These flashcards cover key concepts related to phenology, the impact of climate change on ecosystems, and specific case studies of organisms affected by these changes.

Phenology

The study of timing in nature, specifically how seasonal changes like temperature and daylight influence life cycle events of plants and animals.

Buds

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

Photoperiod

The amount of time during the day where there is light; it influences biological events such as flowering and migration.

Bud setting

The process of making a bud on a plant.

Bud bursting

The process where a bud opens and reveals its contents, whether it be a leaf, flower, or both.

Trophic mismatch

A phenomenon where the timing of food availability and the timing of consumers become out of sync, negatively impacting species coexistence.

Univoltine

A species that produces one generation each year.

Bivoltine

A species that can produce two generations each year, often influenced by favorable genetics and warmer temperatures.

Great tit

A bird species that lays eggs based on daylight and feeds its chicks primarily with caterpillars.

Spruce bark beetle

A beetle that burrows under the bark of spruce trees, which can become a pest if their population increases due to climate change.

Natural selection

The process through which species adapt and evolve over time based on heritable traits that enhance survival and reproduction.

Tawny owl

A species of owl that presents two color morphs; gray and brown, with the brown morph having a survival advantage in changing climate conditions.