REPHASE - Reproduktion, Phenology und Seasonality in european comparison

The phenology of plants is an important bioindicator of climate change, as many developmental processes such as flowering and leaf unfolding are strongly temperature-dependent. Changes in the seasonal cycle affect ecological processes, local climate, atmospheric chemistry, as well as interactions between plants, insects, and humans. Phenological knowledge plays a central role, especially in agriculture and forestry, for example in seed availability or sustainable management. The International Phenological Gardens (IPG) network, with genetically identical plants at various European locations, is unique worldwide and enables precise climate-related comparisons. The REPHASE project builds on this IPG network.

REPHASE investigates the reproductive ecology and phenology of vegetatively propagated forest trees while also strengthening the scientific coordination and strategic development of the IPG network. The focus lies on analyzing physiological traits such as secondary radial growth and leaf morphology, as well as their relationship to reproductive behavior and mast years. In addition, the length of the growing season is analyzed with regard to climatic changes in order to gain valuable insights into the adaptability of plants to altered environmental conditions. Another key aspect is the comparison of different meteorological datasets in phenological research. The results obtained are expected to provide essential insights that are crucial for the future management of research data and will support the successful continuation of the IPG network.