XVI International Botanical Congess

Phenology is the study of plant and animal life-events linked to environmental factors. Systematic observation of these events offer excellent opportunities to increase understanding of complex biospheric processes and interactions, as well as monitor global change. In order to realize the full potential of these data, a global phenology network needs to be developed and implemented early in the 21st century. Scale and interpolation issues will be addressed through strategic combinations of satellite-derived information, selected native species data, and observations from wide-ranging cloned indicator plants. Ongoing research is exploring the degree to which transfer functions can be developed to relate satellite phenological metrics with surface phenological events. This paper will report initial results from testing taking place in North America and China.