Vårtecken i samhällets tjänst

Nature’s calendar is changing as the climate changes. The growing season is expected to expand and the timing of phenological phases, like leafing, flowering, and fruit ripening are changing. In turn, this will affect plant growth, reproduction and interactions with their environment. Such changes motivate the launching of a nationwide network for standardized plant phenological observations, based on both professional and volunteer observers. Sweden holds a historical, nationwide phenology data set suitable for many timely analyses, particularly when comparable, present-day data are compiled. In 2008–2009, almost 10 000 spontaneous phenology reports have been submitted through the web site www.blommar.nu. The Swedish National Phenology Network (SWE-NPN) will now develop and expand its observation network in a more organized way, to guarantee high-quality and geographically well-distributed phenology data.