Phenology is the study of plant and animal life cycle events, which are triggered by environmental changes, especially temperature. Wide ranges of phenomena are included, from first openings of leaf and flower buds, to insect hatchings and return of birds. Each one gives a ready measure of the environment as viewed by the associated organism. Thus, phenological events are ideal indicators of the impact of local and global changes in weather and climate on the earth's biosphere.
Assessing our changing world is a complex task that requires close cooperation from experts in biology, climatology, ecology, geography, oceanography, remote sensing and other areas. This book is a synthesis of current phenological knowledge, designed as a primer on the field for global change and general scientists, students and interested members of the public. With contributions from a diverse group of over fifty phenological experts, covering data collection, current research, methods and applications, it demonstrates the accomplishments and potential of phenology as an integrative environmental science.

Inhalt
Phenological Data, Networks, and Research.- East Asia.- Australia.- Europe.- North America.- South America.- The Global Phenological Monitoring Concept.- Toward A Multifunctional European Phenology Network.- Phenology of Selected Bioclimatic Zones.- Tropical Dry Climates.- Mediterranean Climates.- Grasslands of the North American Great Plains.- High Latitude Climates.- High Altitude Climates.- Phenological Models and Techniques.- Plant Development Models.- Animal Life Cycle Models.- Phenological Variation of Forest Trees.- Phenological Growth Stages.- Assessing Phenology at the Biome Level.- Developing Comparative Phenological Calendars.- Plant Phenological Fingerprints.- Phenoclimatic Measures.- Weather Station Siting.- Remote Sensing Phenology.- Remote Sensing Phenology.- Phenology of Selected Lifeforms.- Aquatic Plants and Animals.- Insects.- Birds.- Timing of Reproduction in Large Mammals.- Applications of Phenology.- Vegetation Phenology in Global Change Studies.- Phenology of Vegetation Photosynthesis.- Radiation Measurements.- Phenology and Agriculture.- Winegrape Phenology.- Long-Term Urban-Rural Comparisons.