Getting the Timing Right: Plant Phenology and Mismatch in Our Changing Forests

Presented by Mason Heberling, Ph.D., Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
Though small in stature, most species in temperate forests are understory wildflowers, often far outnumbering trees. The seasonal timing of leaf out, flowering, and seed production is especially critical for these wildflowers that depend on a relatively short period of high light in the spring before being shaded out by tree leaves. But this period of high light in the forest understory is changing due to the phenological impacts of climate change and invasive shrub species. Combining natural history observations first initiated more than 160 years ago by Henry David Thoreau, insights from the museum’s collections, and current field and laboratory experiments, Mason will share his ongoing research on some unexpected impacts of climate change and non-native plants on the future of ecologically important (and beautiful!) forest wildflowers.
⭐ Additional Resources:
1. "The Changing Uses of Herbarium Data in an Era of Global Change: An Overview Using Automated Content Analysis," a BioScience article on trends in herbarium use: bit.ly/3Yu0AZN
2. "Utilizing herbarium specimens to quantify historical mycorrhizal communities," a research piece that studies mycorrhizae on century-old roots: bit.ly/3KAM6kW
3. Search the Carnegie Museum Herbarium and other collections: bit.ly/45l5gDv
4. "iNaturalist as a tool to expand the research value of museum specimens," a study about using iNaturalist when collecting voucher specimens: bit.ly/3Qyd00K
5. Learn about National Phenology Network, Nature’s Notebook, and setting up a community science project at your site: bit.ly/3s1VZSy
6. Read recent press coverage of Mason’s new project on invasive species, and the topic of the upcoming NAA webinar on Jan 16, 2024, with a group discussion on how to communicate about invasive species most effectively to general audiences: bit.ly/3DVkoLX
7. Listen to a radio interview given at the beginning of Mason’s current NSF-funded project: bit.ly/47k9BJ3