Metla Project 3179

Establishment of plant phenological monitoring network and forecast system of berry and mushroom yield

[  Suomeksi  |  Objectives  |  Results  |  Project leader  |  Researchers  |  Publications  |  Metla Research  ]

Duration: 1996-2003   Keywords: Plant phenlogy, climate factors, forecasts, forest disceases, forest pests, growth rhythm of trees, wildberry and edible mushroom yields

Objectives

Phenological research is of long standing in Finland. The earliest observations date back to about the middle of the 18th century and later during the years 1843-1965 the collection was organized by the Finnish Society of Science and Letters. At the Finnish Forest Research Institute (Metla) the recording of the observations concerning natural phenomena was begun in 1951 and the new phenological observation network covering the whole country and focusing on the phenology of forest trees and other forest plant species was established in 1997. The sites of the new observation network are located at Metla's research stations and research areas and at the stations of the other research institutions and universities. Biological phenomena to be monitored are flowering and flushing of trees, yellowing and shedding of leaves, height growth of pine, flowering of cowberry and bilberry and the ripening of berries. The observations are made repeatedly of the same tree individuals and the phenomena monitored vary by tree species. The monitoring covers eight tree species (downy birch, silver birch, pine, spruce, aspen, juniper, bird-cherry, rowan). The observation period usually begins at the beginning of May and continues, depending on the phenomena, until the shedding of leaves. The observers have been trained to make the observations twice per week in a standardized manner. The phonological data is processed into maps and animations. The phenological service's information provided over the Internet is updated once a day. The results are also published in bulletins and other publications.

Long-term phenological observation series provide information about the effects of climate changes on forest ecosystems. Monitoring enables more exact information to be obtained also on the rhythm of height growth of forest trees in different parts of the country and this is useful in the compilation of growth forecasts, for instance. Observations made of the flowering of trees improve the reliability of seed crop forecasts and they are also closely connected to pollen forecasts regarding plant species causing allergies to people. Another objective of phenological monitoring is to add to our knowledge concerning various natural events and utilization of natural resources.

Results

Phenological research continued in the beginnig of 2004 in "Timing of phenological events in changing climate - research on trees and their seeds, yields of wild berries and mushrooms" -research project.

Results are published in Metinfo Fenologia -Service.

Project leader: Kubin, Eero
The Finnish Forest Research Institute, Oulu Unit, PL 413, FI-90014 Oulun yliopisto, FINLAND
Phone: +358 29 532 3710
E-mail: eero.kubin@metla.fi

Other researchers: Heinonen, Jaakko, JO (2002-03), Heinonen, Tiina (2002-03), Hokkanen, Tatu, VA (2002-03), Leppälä, Mirva, MU (2002-03), Pesonen, Erkki, VA (2002-03), Poikolainen, Jarmo, MU (2002-03), Salo, Kauko, JO (2002-03), Taulavuori, Kari (2002), Tolvanen, Anne, MU (2003)


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Updated 12.06.2012
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