Phenological models for the beginning of apple blossom in Germany

Abstract

The classical paper of KOPPEN (1884a) on "The thermal zones of the Earth according to the duration of hot, moderate and cold periods and of the impact of heat on the organic world", published in the first volume of the Meteorologische Zeitschrift, is considered today as an early forerunner of the most widely used Koppen-Geiger climate classification. We depict the historical background of the evolution of Koppen's climate classification from the beginning in the early 19 th century until the present. An overview on 21 st century applications demonstrates the high scientific impact of Wladimir Koppen's historical work.