Abstract
Phenology is one of the simplest and most effective study to understanding the role of climate change in recent scenario. A number of biotic and abiotic drivers controlled the timing and duration of various phenophases in same or different species. Temperature, rainfall and photoperiod are key drivers which adversely affect the phenology of woody plant. The study sites were conductedat 413 and 2345m elevation in Nainital forest division of Kumaun Himalaya. The phenological study were carried out onShores robusta, Mallotus philippinensis, Pinus roxburghii, Myrica esculenta,Quercus leucotrichophora and Rhododendron arboreum. The phenological observations were made at 15 days interval for low activity period and weekly in the periods of high activity. Phenological records were made for four phenophases, viz., leafing, leaf drop, flowering and seed fall.The leaf fall in S. robusta started from March 2nd week and was complete by the end of April. In M. philippinensis the fruiting commenced from the beginning of December and seed fall was complete by the 3rd week of April. In M. esculenta male flowers appear from August end and flowering was complete by October end.In R. arboreum seed dispersal started from February end and all the capsules had opened by mid-March. It is apparent from the present study that the phenological events of species controlled/shifted due to climatic irregularities and temperaturerise and these phenomena showed worldwide. Microclimatic condition alsoresponsible for controlling/shifting the phenological patterns of same or different species.
Highlights
The entire Himalaya region is highly vulnerable to the impacts of global warming and forest ecosystem can be seriously impacted in these changes
Fruiting must wait upon flowering; seed dispersal cannot precede fruiting even an individual flower undergoes a sequence of events
Phenological records were made for four phenophases, viz., leafing, leaf drop, flowering and seed fall for all studied species for a two-year period and compared with earlier studies to find the shift in phenological events in last three decades
Summary
The entire Himalaya region is highly vulnerable to the impacts of global warming and forest ecosystem can be seriously impacted in these changes. Phenological events of the plants are good indicators of climate differences.. Phenology involves precise documentation of timing and duration of different phenological events at species level, their interrelations and possible causal links between environmental variables and phenology.. The various phenological events such as leafexpansion, abscission, flowering, bud-burst, fruiting, seed dispersal and germination of Himalayan species all take place in due season.. Phenological studies are as important to understand the species interactions and community function because each phenological events of each species occurs in its own calendar slot.. Fruiting must wait upon flowering; seed dispersal cannot precede fruiting even an individual flower undergoes a sequence of events. Phenological events of the plants are good indicators of climate differences. Phenology involves precise documentation of timing and duration of different phenological events at species level, their interrelations and possible causal links between environmental variables and phenology. The various phenological events such as leafexpansion, abscission, flowering, bud-burst, fruiting, seed dispersal and germination of Himalayan species all take place in due season. Phenological studies are as important to understand the species interactions and community function because each phenological events of each species occurs in its own calendar slot. Fruiting must wait upon flowering; seed dispersal cannot precede fruiting even an individual flower undergoes a sequence of events.
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