Phenology: Green-Up Protocol
GLOBE Green-Up Protocol
Elena Bautista SparrowInternational Arctic Research Center and
School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences
University of Alaska Fairbanks
March 29, 2007
Phenology: Green-Up Protocol
Goals for the Training Session
• Provide an inquiry context for the data collection and science content
• Provide accurate science content• Review procedures for data
collection• Review data entry and analysis • Discuss classroom implementation
ideas• Collect feedback from participants
Phenology: Green-Up Protocol
Inquiry Context• How long does green-up take for a given species?• How does green-up differ among different species
within a forested study area?• How does green-up relate to precipitation? To
soil moisture?• Does temperature influence the rate of green-up?
Phenology: Green-Up Protocol
Local Inquiry Example
• How does green-up vary within a tree
• How does the rate of green-up of a dominant species vary within your city or town?
Phenology: Green-Up Protocol
Why do GLOBE scientists research green-up?
• To calculate growing season length and monitor interannual changes in growing season duration
• To determine how environmental conditions such as air and soil temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, and day length affect plant growth
• To monitor the nature and extent of climate change and its effects on plants and animals
• To help interpret satellite observations of greenness
Phenology: Green-Up Protocol
Science Content: What is green-up?
Green-up is the beginning of phenological changes that signal the start of a growing season for most plants.
May1987
March1987
Phenology: Green-Up Protocol
Science Content: Important Definitions
Swelling is seen when the bud is getting bigger.
Dormancy is a state of suspended growth and metabolism.
Budburst is the emergence of new leaves (photosynthetically active foliage) on plants, which signals the beginning of a new growing season cycle. Photos courtesy of Mike Dunn
Phenology: Green-Up Protocol
Instruments: Green-Up
• GPS Receiver• Local Tree Identification Guide• Compass• Meter stick or tape measure
(for grass study site)
• Ruler (in mm)• Camera• Flagging Tape & Marker
Phenology: Green-Up Protocol
The Measurements
• Green-Up Study Site Definition– GPS Measurement– Tree and shrub species or grass genus– Study Site pictures
• Green-Up Protocol– For tree or shrub: date, bud condition or
leaf length on four buds of the same branch– For grass: date, blade length on first four
shoots to emerge
Phenology: Green-Up Protocol
Collecting Data: Field/Lab Guides & Data SheetsField/Lab Guides:• Tree and Shrub Green-Up and Green-Down Site Selection Field
Guide or Grass Green-Up and Green-Down Site Selection Field Guide
• GPS Protocol Field Guide• Tree and Shrub Green-Up Protocol Field Guide or Grass Green-
Up Protocol Field Guide
Data Sheets:• Green-Up and Green-Down Site Definition Sheet• GPS Investigation Data Sheet• Tree and Shrub Green-Up Data Sheet or Grass Green-Up Data
Sheet
Phenology: Green-Up Protocol
Collecting Data: Green-Up and Green-Down Study Site
Site Selection• At least 2 weeks before
budburst• Convenient location• Native trees/shrubs or
grasses that are not watered or fertilized are preferred
Tree and Shrub or Grass Selection• Identify dominant tree and shrub
species or grass genusFor Tree or Shrub:• Select one or more dominant, native,
deciduous trees/shrubs• Select and flag a healthy, good-sized
branch on the equator-facing sideFor Grass:• Select a one-meter square area
dominated by grass plants
Phenology: Green-Up Protocol
First Time• Locate and mark green grass shoot or bud at end of selected branch • Locate and mark three other closest buds or shoots• Photograph your site
Every VisitFor Tree or Shrub:• Examine each bud and determine if it is:
Dormant, Swelling, Budburst, Length or Lost• Continue measuring until leaf stops increasing in length
For Grass:• Examine each shoot and determine if it is:
No Shoot, Length or Lost• Continue measuring until leaf stops increasing in length
Collecting Data: Protocol
mm
. : ::
.:
Phenology: Green-Up Protocol
Enter Data on the GLOBE Web SiteGreen-Up and Green-Down Study Site Definition
Step 1: Select “Define a Green-Up/Green-Down Study Site” from the Phenology data entry menu
Step 2: Enter the Study Site information
Step 3: Click “Send Data” button
Step 4: Confirm data entries on verification page
Phenology: Green-Up Protocol
Enter Data on the GLOBE Web SiteGreen-Up Protocol
Step 1: Confirm that a Green-Up Study Site has been defined
Step 2: Select “Green-Up” from the Phenology data entry menu
Step 3: Select your Study Site, enter the date and growing season cycle
Step 4: Enter data for the leaves/buds from each line of the data sheet, one at a time
Step 5: Confirm data entries on verification page
Phenology: Green-Up Protocol
Looking at the DataGreen-Up of Betula Papyrifera
Innoko River School, Shageluk, AK, US Spring, 2005
02468
101214161820222426283032343638
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
May
Lea
f L
eng
th (
mm
)
Leaf 1Leaf 2Leaf 3Leaf 4
Bud SwellingBud Burst
Phenology: Green-Up Protocol
• Observe trees, twice weekly, starting at least two weeks before initial budburst.
• Report date of budburst when you see leaves breaking out of the buds in three different branches of each tree.
Phenology:Budburst
Phenology: Green-Up Protocol
Classroom Implementation
• Inquiry
• Curriculum/Standards Alignment
• Assessment
• Classroom Management
Phenology: Green-Up Protocol
Getting Started• The GLOBE Web site has information
http://www.globe.gov
• GLOBE Help Desk or your Country Coordinator can support you as you get started.
• Get your students involved doing real science!