Facts:
Figure 1. Downy birch bud and leaf development during 2006-2017 in Vindeln (lat. 64°N)
Figure 2. Relative bud and leaf development on Downy birch during 2006-2017 in Vindeln (lat. 64°N), average and single year development.
Phenology
Last changed: 10 January 2023
At the experimental forests in Asa, Tönnersjöheden, Siljansfors and Vindeln, phenological observations are made on birch, spruce and pine as well as on bilberry and lingonberry. Shoot development, autumn leaf coloring, leaf felling and flowering are followed on the trees, and flowers, unripe and ripe berries are counted on the berry species.
SLU is part of the Swedish national phenology network and our observations are reported in Nature's calendar. These phenology observations are part of SLU's ongoing environmental assessment and show weather-dependent seasonal changes, which in the future may be shifted by a changed climate. These observations can demonstrate the biological effects of climate change, but also be helpful for e.g. satellite image interpretation and frost risk assessments.
In the field work instructions, you can see how the measurements are made and the different phases in the development of the shoots and flowering, respectively, are defined.
Several of the experimental parks are equipped with webcams, so that you can follow the changing of the seasons in different parts of the country on the Internet. Look at fresh pictures from the experimental parks here!
Contact
Ola Langvall, Station Manager
Unit for Field-based Forest Research, SLU
ola.langvall@slu.se, +46 472 26 31 80
Links
Phenology related web pages
The Swedish National Phenology Network
Citizen science project Naturens kalender (Nature's calendar)
Published phenology datasets