Phenology Of Species Research Articles

Phenology of scyphozoan jellyfish species in a eutrophication and climate change context

The uprising interest in gelatinous zooplankton populations must cope with a lack of robust time series of direct abundance observations in most of the ecosystems because of the difficulties in sampling small, fragile organisms, and of the dismissal of jellyfish as a nuisance. Most of the hypotheses about their dynamics are built on a few species and ecosystems and extended to the whole group, but the blooms are registered mainly for the members of the Class Scyphozoa that dwell in temperate, shallow waters. Within the scyphozoans, our knowledge about their phenology relies mainly on laboratory experiences. Here we present a long-term analysis of the phenology and life cycle of three scyphozoan species in an ecosystem affected by eutrophication in a climate change context. We have found that the phenology is directed by temperature, but not modified by different thermal and ecological regimes.

Pollination and floral insect visitors of non-native Crataegus monogyna Jacq and Crataegus mexicana DC (Rosaceae) in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Crataegus species (Rosaceae) or hawthorns form dense thickets and displace native vegetation out of their native range. In South Africa, Crataegus monogyna and C. mexicana are under surveillance but there is lack of information on their pollination ecology. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the pollination mechanism and potential insect pollinators of these plants. Pollinator exclusion experiments were conducted on ten plants each of C. monogyna and C. mexicana near the towns of Hogsback and Seymour respectively, in the Eastern Cape Province. Flowers of each of these species were also observed to determine the diversity and distribution of insect visitors throughout the day (i.e. morning, mid day and afternoon). The results showed that C. monogyna and C. mexicana are capable of self and cross-pollination. Fruit set from open inflorescences of C. monogyna was 40.88 ± 0.08%, significantly higher than bagged inflorences. Fruit set from open inflorescences of C. mexicana was 48.18 ± 0.03%, significantly higher than those of bagged inflorescences. Hymenopterans were the most frequent visitors on C. monogyna flowers while dipterans were the most frequent visitors on C. mexicana flowers. The distribution of insects did not vary with the time of day for each plant species. Insect pollination, therefore, plays a significant role in the fruiting of C. monogyna and C. mexicana in the Eastern Cape. The results of this study contribute to the understanding of the ecology and phenology of Crataegus species in South Africa and thus the evaluation of their invasive status.

Restoration of invaded temperate grasslands: species phenology adds to microsite and seed availability

AbstractQuestionsRestoring diversity in temperate grasslands requires eliminating invaders and recovering different native phenological groups. Clipping and seed addition promote native grass recovery, but these effects could depend on the phenological overlap between invaders and native species. We evaluated the importance of the interaction between two types of clipping, species phenology and sowing to restore temperate grasslands invaded by the cool‐season forage species Festuca arundinacea (tall fescue).LocationFlooding Pampa grassland (Buenos Aires, Argentina).MethodsWe applied selective and non‐selective clipping on tall fescue during the peak growing season, combined with the sowing of native cool‐ and warm‐season grasses. Plant species cover was estimated visually for 3 years; species were categorized by functional groups. Moreover, through emergence trials, we evaluated whether the soil seed bank had been impoverished by invasion.ResultsRegardless of selectivity, clipping decreased tall fescue cover by 12%/year, which reduced microsite limitation. Consequently, total native richness increased by 5 spp./year and cover increased from 3% to 50% by the last experimental year, independent of clipping type. Moreover, native warm‐season grasses, the group with the least phenological overlap with invaders, increased by nearly 25% in cover and by 5 spp./m2 with clipping and independently of sowing. Contrarily, native cool‐season grasses, with more phenological overlap with invaders, increased 5% with propagule addition. Furthermore, the seed bank was enriched with tall fescue and depleted of cool‐season grasses.ConclusionsOur results reveal that overcoming microsite limitation is a necessary condition to restore plant diversity in grassland invaded by tall fescue. Nevertheless, seed limitation and phenological overlap may be particularly important to restore the diversity of some native functional groups of plants. Considering the phenology of species can help to identify either clipping targets or phenological groups to be sown when restoring native diversity.

Effectiveness of different traps and lures for coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari, 1867) in São Tomé Island

Coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari, 1867), is a serious insect pest of organic coffee plantation in São Tomé Island. To date, limited information regarding the seasonal phenology of this pest species on the islands limits the implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) programmes. As part of a coffee farmer training programme, three attractants were evaluated in red vs. transparent traps to assess olfactory and visual stimuli. The experiment was delineated in a split-block design with three types of attractants: commercial ethanol + 40 g of ripe Robusta coffee (A1), proportion 3:1 methanol and ethanol (A2), and commercial ethanol + 10 g of ground roasted Arabica coffee (A3); and two home-made transparent (D1) and red (D2) traps. The results showed that there was significant interaction between the trap model and the attractant for borer capture. The transparent trap baited with methanol and ethanol exhibited the best result with an average of 14.3 ± 5.4 adults/trap/week. Transparent traps baited captured more borers and largest numbers of beetles were trapped late May through September. In short, home-made traps alone are not effective for controlling the coffee berry borer, but they are useful in monitoring this species.

Generating ecological insights from historical data

Generating ecological insights from historical data

Man-made infrastructures as accidental traps for herpetofauna in eastern Spain: incidence and modelling

Abstract Water supplies in arid regions have traditionally been assured by cisterns, channels, wells, among other man-made structures with smooth vertical walls that can be deadly traps for several animals, including amphibians and reptiles. In this study, we investigate the incidence of such “trap structures” on the herpetofauna of the eastern Iberian Peninsula. We explored which features of these structures and which biological traits are associated with higher incidence of falling into these traps. We studied 205 trap structures and found 1224 amphibians or reptiles representing 25 different species, including endangered and protected ones. Broad-scale macroclimate and landscape variables were not associated with the incidence of traps. Instead, trap impact was influenced mainly by trap morphology and season of the year, which suggests that construction design and species phenology are the main factors to affect the incidence of a trap. Biological traits (subterranean or aquatic habits, diet, nocturnal activity or emission of reproductive calls) in some species were related to the probability of falling into these traps. Some species of snakes, lizards, and toads were more prone to fall in trap structures than other species. We conclude that trap structures can strongly impact amphibian and reptile survival, especially in arid or semi-arid regions where wells and water cisterns are widespread.

Spatio‐temporal variation in plant–pollinator interactions: a multilayer network approach

Despite the dynamic nature of communities, most research typically treated interaction networks as static entities, and only a few analysed the spatial and the temporal scales simultaneously. Here, we used spatial and temporal multilayer networks to explore the persistence of species and interactions in space and time, as well as the variation of species role (centrality) according to biotic factors. We further investigated, for the first time, the spatio‐temporal variation in multilayer network structure. Species exhibited substantial turnover across time mainly due to differences in species phenology. In contrast, interaction turnover was more pronounced across habitats, which seems to be a common strategy of pollinators to adjust interactions spatially to different ecological scenarios. Plant species were comparatively more important to the cohesiveness of spatial than temporal networks, whereas the centrality of pollinators correlated between scales. The importance of plant species fluctuated temporally due mainly to changes in flower density, whereas that of pollinators fluctuated in space and time according to their relative abundance. Module composition was highly unstable in time. Species were highly capable of changing partners and module affiliation across both scales. We conclude that plant–pollinator interactions are highly dynamic in space and time, and that there are differences between plants and pollinators in their use of resources across habitats and subseasons with implications for the understanding of functional connectivity and multilayer structure.

Primulajiaozishanensis (Primulaceae), a new species in Primula sect. Petiolares subsect. Davidii from Yunnan, China.

Primulajiaozishanensis Z.K.Wu, W.H.Yang & Yuan Wu, a new species of Primulaceae is described and illustrated from Jiaozi Snow Mountain of Dongchuan District, Yunnan, China. Morphological evidence supports P.jiaozishanensis as a member of P.sect.Petiolaressubsect.Davidii, which is characterized by firmly papery or leathery leaves, with veins impressed adaxially, often prominently raised and alveolate abaxially. The new species is characterized by having long and stout rhizomes, smaller leaves with short petioles, short or almost obsolete scape, and larger flowers. The distribution, phenology and conservation status of the new species are also provided.

Flowering phenology of species with similar flower colours in species-rich communities

Within a community, co-occurring plant species are expected to diverge in floral display or flowering phenology to decrease interspecific competition and thus increase intraspecific pollination. However, co-occurring species can also benefit from floral signal standardisation (similar colour signals among flowers of different species) because it facilitates pollinator attraction. Considering the interaction of flower colour display and flowering phenology, we investigated the visual similarity of rewarding flowers among species from highly diverse tropical and temperate vegetation types. For six groups of co-occurring, closely related bee-pollinated species with similar floral displays from Brazilian campo rupestre (51 species) and Spanish Mediterranean vegetation (30 species), we first investigated whether flower colours can be discriminated by bees based on colour locus distance in the bee vision hexagon. We then tested whether flowering phenology overlapped or was segregated. We found that within both vegetation regions, flower colour was generally not distinguishable within groups by bees. The small perceptual distance of colour loci in the bee visual space did not enable discrimination. The flowering periods of the Mediterranean species overlapped, while the Brazilian campo rupestre species tended to have segregated phenologies. Mediterranean species may benefit from the increased standardisation of signals displayed during the short flowering season, while the sequential flowering phenology of campo rupestre species may decrease interspecific competition and help maintain a recognizable signal for bees over time, favouring flower constancy. We concluded that the standardisation of the floral colour signal within these two species-rich plant communities is advantageous for most of the species studied, despite having different flowering phenologies.

Monitoring Eurasian Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) with Pointing Dogs in Italy to Inform Evidence-Based Management of a Migratory Game Species

The phenology of migratory bird species is a crucial aspect of their biology that has far-reaching implications for wildlife management, particularly when these species are hunted as game. For this reason, many monitoring projects have investigated the presence of Western European bird species in diverse Palearctic regions using abundance indexes. Here, our aim was to define Woodcock’s presence in Italy during the post-nuptial migration, the wintering phase, and at the beginning of the pre-nuptial migration phase, using monitoring data collected between September and March for the period 2016 to 2021. The presence of Woodcock in Italy and other regions of the Mediterranean basin can be compared using an index, specifically the “Indice Cynégétique d’Abondance” (ICA) which corresponds to the number of different Woodcock flushed during a hunting trip. We modelled the abundance of Woodcock as a function of biotic (habitat type, vegetation) and abiotic (place, season, temperature, altitude) factors to assess the presence of Woodcock in Italy Our findings reveal that temperature and altitude have an inverse effect on the abundance index of Woodcock in Italy, while deciduous woodland is a preferred habitat for the species. We observe an increase in Woodcock’s presence from the end of September to late November, followed by a decrease in late January. Moreover, we have identified a significant rise in the ICA index during the latter part of February and early March, indicating the pre-nuptial migration period. Our study contributes significantly to our understanding of Woodcock migration phenology, particularly with respect to the management of the species in Italy and other Mediterranean basin states. Our results underscore the importance of long-term monitoring programs for evaluating key spatial population metrics such as presence and abundance, which are critical for sustainable hunting and effective conservation management of game species.

A tribute to whom defend the forest: Hyptidendron dorothyanum (Lamiaceae: Hyptidinae), a new species from the Amazonian domain

Amazonia, despite being famous as the most prominent tropical forest, is currently suffering high rates of degradation, with recurrent fires and deforestation, which could shortly lead it to be classified as a biodiversity hotspot for conservation. Although the known flora of the domain displays exceptional richness, its diversity is far from being well known, with several new species being described each year and lots of areas still poorly collected. During the preparation of a revision of Hyptidendron (Lamiaceae, subtribe Hyptidinae), a small genus with 21 species, unidentified and unmatched specimens from the Amazonian domain were uncovered. Here we describe and illustrate these specimens as Hyptidendron dorothyanum sp. nov., named in honor of Sister Dorothy Stang, murdered for her support for the biodiversity of the Amazon and her defence of the rights of local people. The new species, currently known from just two gatherings from Amazonas and Pará States is compared with its most closely related species, Hyptidendron canum, H. arboreum, H. asperrimum and H. leucophyllum. We also provide a distribution map, a preliminary conservation assessment, as well as comments on the phenology and ecology of the new species. This paper calls attention to the importance of the conservation of Amazonia and its rich but still not completely known diversity.

Geographic and taxonomic variation in adaptive capacity among mountain-dwelling small mammals: Implications for conservation status and actions

Contemporary climate change is modifying the distribution, morphology, phenology, physiology, evolution, and interspecific interactions of species. Effects of climate change are mediated not only through the magnitude of change experienced (exposure) and an animal's sensitivity to such changes, but also through the ability of the population or species to adjust to climatic variability and change genetically, behaviorally, or spatially (via its distribution) (i.e., adaptive capacity; AC). Here, we used an attribute-based framework to systematically evaluate and compare the AC of American pikas (Ochotona princeps) against four other mountain-dwelling small mammals of North America to determine whether pikas are disproportionately vulnerable to climate change, as has been postulated. Unlike previous analyses, we also compared AC across O. princeps lineages and across three taxonomic (and thus, spatial) scales. Our results indicate that pikas have markedly lower adaptive capacity than all compared species except bushy-tailed woodrats (Neotoma cinerea), and that our assessments of species generally align with earlier characterizations of climate-change vulnerability based on life-history characteristics. Although AC did not differ dramatically among pika lineages, some attributes are likely constraining AC differently in various parts of the geographic range. Comparisons across taxonomic levels of pikas illustrated that, although AC levels were comparable in pika lineages versus range-wide, AC was assessed as lower in interior-Great-Basin pikas than across the entire O.p. schisticeps lineage. We conclude that the comparatively lower AC of pikas results in particularly high susceptibility to anthropogenic climate change, corroborating results from numerous other recent investigations of pikas' climate-responsiveness. Adaptive-capacity evaluations appear useful as a consistent way to identify sentinel species or populations and for conservation prioritization.

Long term changes in aquaculture influence migration, regional abundance, and distribution of an avian species.

Agricultural development has been causing changes to the environment and the abundance and distribution of avian species. Agriculture is dynamic with changes in products occurring at large scales over relatively short time periods. The catfish aquaculture industry is one such agriculture industry that has undergone dramatic changes over the last 25 years. The double-crested cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) is a piscivorous bird that has an extensive history with the aquaculture industry of Mississippi due to its depredation of cultured catfish. A large-scale monitoring program began in 1989 to estimate the abundance and location of cormorants at every known roost in the primary catfish producing region of the state, regionally known as the Delta. We used this data set to address hypotheses pertaining to cormorant ecology within the Delta over time, particularly in relation to aquaculture. We found that, although the Midwest breeding population of cormorants has been increasing, the abundance of cormorants wintering in the Delta has been decreasing, closely following the decline of aquaculture, suggesting aquaculture area is the primary reason for cormorant inhabitation of the region. We also modeled cormorant presence and abundance at all roost sites to determine what factors most influenced cormorant distribution. Aquaculture area around roosts was a significant predictor of both cormorant presence and abundance. However, the influence of aquaculture area was seasonally dependent, with greater positive influences occurring prior to migration. Lastly, we found peak cormorant abundance in the Delta is occurring 2.14 days earlier each year, which may be indicative of changes to migration phenology. Information gained using this large dataset aids in cormorant damage mitigation and to further our understanding of cormorant ecology. Data indicate changes in agriculture, and potentially climate change, can influence phenology, distribution, and abundance of avian species at large geographic scales.

Effects of intra-annual precipitation patterns on grassland productivity moderated by the dominant species phenology.

Phenology and productivity are important functional indicators of grassland ecosystems. However, our understanding of how intra-annual precipitation patterns affect plant phenology and productivity in grasslands is still limited. Here, we conducted a two-year precipitation manipulation experiment to explore the responses of plant phenology and productivity to intra-annual precipitation patterns at the community and dominant species levels in a temperate grassland. We found that increased early growing season precipitation enhanced the above-ground biomass of the dominant rhizome grass, Leymus chinensis, by advancing its flowering date, while increased late growing season precipitation increased the above-ground biomass of the dominant bunchgrass, Stipa grandis, by delaying senescence. The complementary effects in phenology and biomass of the dominant species, L. chinensis and S. grandis, maintained stable dynamics of the community above-ground biomass under intra-annual precipitation pattern variations. Our results highlight the critical role that intra-annual precipitation and soil moisture patterns play in the phenology of temperate grasslands. By understanding the response of phenology to intra-annual precipitation patterns, we can more accurately predict the productivity of temperate grasslands under future climate change.

Effects of Climate on Scorpion Diversity in Arid Ecosystems of the Sahara Desert of Algeria

In desert ecosystems, arthropods such as scorpions are understudied, and sufficient information is still lacking regarding their biodiversity. Specimen collection was carried out over 24 months (2016–2017). This study assessed the phenology, abundance, richness and diversity of scorpion species in arid ecosystems of the Sahara desert of Algeria (Ghardaïa). It examined the potential influence of climate parameters (precipitation, temperature and wind) on activity density, diversity and the phenological distribution of the species among seasons. We identified eight Buthidae species: Androctonus aeneas, Androctonus amoreuxi, Androctonus australis, Buthacus samiae, Buthacus spinatus, Buthacus elmenia, Buthus saharicus and Lissothus chaambi. Androctonus amoreuxi and Androctonus australis were the most abundant and omnipresent species, comprising 54.41% and 33.82% of all species found, respectively. Shannon’s index and the evenness index demonstrated a very poor diversity of scorpions in this region and a poor balance between the number of sampled species. Seasonal variation and climate parameters, i.e., temperature and wind, influenced the number, distribution, and the diversity of scorpions. The number of species found in Ghardaïa Province represent more than 20% of the scorpion species reported in Algeria.

Reproductive phenology of critical native plant species for mineland restoration in the eastern Amazon

AbstractAmazon ironstone outcrops vegetation, or canga, is a remarkable environment in which the plants are adapted to peculiar circumstances. Knowledge regarding different aspects of this ecosystem remains modest, including necessary insights for its conservation and recovery, such as the reproductive phenology of priority species that form the plant community. This study aimed to monitor the reproductive phenology of critical native species that are categorized as rare, endemic, and/or threatened in the canga of the Amazon Rainforest, in Pará, Brazil. During February 2016 and May 2017, eleven species were evaluated regarding the presence or absence of flowering and fruiting phenophases, and these were associated with environmental variables. Phenological data were evaluated through circular statistical analysis. All studied species flowered and produced fruit during the monitoring period. The evaluated species have an annual reproductive cycle marked by seasonality and flowering peaks between March and April, during the wet season, and fruiting peaks during May, at the beginning of the dry season. The best period for collecting ripe seeds, a primary tool for the restoration of degraded areas, is June. Water availability may be essential for the establishment of annual plants and to induce flowering in both annual and perennial species. The reproductive phenophases of the studied species are concentrated within a short period and are synchronized, which may increase the possibility of cross‐pollination and minimize flower and seed predation. We discuss the challenges in including annual plants and the importance of having them and perennial species in conservation and restoration of degraded areas projects.

Primulapingbaensis (Primulaceae), a new species from Guizhou, China.

Primulapingbaensis Na Zhang, X.Q.Jiang & Z.K.Wu, a new species of Primulaceae from Gaofeng Mountain of Pingba county, Guizhou, China, is described and illustrated. Morphological evidence supports P.pingbaensis as a member of P.sect.Petiolares on account of scape elongating, pedicels conspicuously thickening in fruit, and its capsule cracking irregularly round the top and crumbling away. Amongst the members of subsect. Davidii, the new species is characterized by having a uniquely smooth leaf blade due to inconspicuously raised veinlets and homostylous flowers with the style usually extending beyond the anthers. The distribution, phenology and conservation status of the new species are also provided.

Effect of seasonality on the leaf phenology and physiology of Byrsonima species (Malpighiaceae)

Introduction: Defined seasonality in savanna species can stimulate physiological responses that maximize photosynthetic metabolism and productivity. However, those physiological responses are also linked to the phenological status of the whole plant, including leaf phenophases. Objective: To study how physiological traits influence phenophase timing among congeneric and co-occurring savanna species. Methods: We evaluated the leaf phenology and physiological traits of populations of Byrsonima intermedia, B. coccolobifolia, and B. verbascifolia. Physiological measurements were performed at the onset of the dry and rainy seasons and again late in the season. Results: B. intermedia and B. coccolobifolia were classified as brevideciduous and B. verbascifolia as evergreen. The maximum quantum yield for B. intermedia and B. coccolobifolia were lowest during the dry season. At the onset of the dry period, the highest chloroplastidic pigment levels were observed, which decreased as the season advanced, total chlorophyll/carotenoid ratios were lowest, and carotenoid contents were highest. We detected low starch content values at the start of the rainy season, coinciding with the resumption of plant growth. Two months into this season, the leaves were at their peak structural and functional maturity, with high water-soluble polysaccharide values and photosynthetic rates, and were storing large amounts of starch. Conclusions: Physiological and leaf phenological strategies of the Byrsonima species were related to drought resistance and acclimatization to the seasonality of savanna water resources. The oscillations of the parameters quantified during the year indicated a strong relationship with water seasonality and with the phenological status of the leaves. Objective: We studied how physiological traits, and not only seasonality, influence phenophase timing among congeneric and co-occurring savanna species. Methods: We followed the leaf phenologies and physiological traits of populations of Byrsonima intermedia, B. coccolobifolia, and B. verbascifolia native to the Brazilian savanna. Analyses of specific leaf mass, relative water content, leaf phenology, leaf carbohydrate content, chloroplastidic pigments, and photosynthetic efficiency were performed at different times during both the dry and rainy seasons. Physiological measurements were performed at the onset of the dry season and again late in that season, as well as at the onset of the rainy season and again late in the rainy season. Results: Byrsonima intermedia and B. coccolobifolia were classified here as brevideciduous and B. verbascifolia as evergreen. Few variations in chlorophyll a fluorescence values were detected over the full year, with the lowest maximum quantum yield values (Fv/Fm) for B. intermedia and B. coccolobifolia occurring during the dry season. The deciduous species (B. verbascifolia) evidenced higher photosynthetic yields during periods of abundant water availability, mainly after its complete recovery after the start of the prolonged rainy period. The highest chloroplastidic pigment levels were observed at the onset of the dry period, although chlorophyll levels decreased as the dry season advanced. The lowest total chlorophyll/carotenoid ratios and the highest carotenoid contents observed at the onset of the dry season indicated that Byrsonima plants were still investing in mechanisms of photoprotection and the dissipation of excess energy from their photosynthetic systems even under water deficit conditions. We detected low starch content values at the onset of the rainy season, which coincides with the resumption of plant growth. At two months into the rainy season, the leaves were at their peak structural and functional maturity, exhibiting high water-soluble polysaccharide values and high photosynthetic rates, and were storing large amounts of starch. Conclusions: Our data evidenced that the physiological and foliar phenological strategies of the Byrsonima species studied here were related to drought resistance and to acclimatization to the seasonality of savanna water resources. The oscillations of the parameters quantified during the year in the three studied species indicated not only a strong relationship with water seasonality, but also with the phenological statuses of the leaves.

Ground‐based infrared thermometry reveals seasonal evapotranspiration patterns in semiarid rangelands

AbstractDetailed assessment of small‐scale heterogeneity in local surface water balance is essential to accurate estimation of evapotranspiration in semiarid climates. However, meteorological approaches are often impractical to implement in sites with sparse and diverse vegetation composition, especially with seasonally variable leaf canopy features. Ground‐based infrared thermometry (TIR) provides spatially and temporally continuous resolution of surface skin temperature that can be directly related to the land surface energy balance. We made repeated measurements with a portable TIR camera to capture seasonal replicates for patch scale heat images for four sagebrush communities. The heat images near peak foliage and near the end of the growing season were compared by computation of surface energy fluxes from TIR sensing to surface energy balance (SEB) and Bowen ratio (BR). Estimates of sensible (H) and latent heat flux (LE) were evaluated with eddy covariance measurements to disaggregate the expression of seasonal phenology of sagebrush species across wetness and elevation. Estimations showed reasonable agreement with ground‐based LE observations for most cases (r2 = 0.59–0.76 for SEB and 0.22–0.72 for BR; root mean squared error = 73.4–106.4 W m−2 for SEB and 109.9–204.0 W m−2 for BR). Predictability declined as the fraction of senescent foliage increased in dry conditions. The field trials suggest the methods have the potential for monitoring land surface energy fluxes and plant health at a very fine spatial scale. The ability to partition heat fluxes from various plant communities over a range of moisture availability will provide valuable information associated with the consumptive water use and phenological processes in the semiarid West.

Historical and citizen-reported data show shifts in bumblebee phenology over the last century in Sweden

Bumblebees are a key taxon contributing to the provision of crop pollination and ecosystem functioning. However, land use and climate change are two of the main factors causing bee decline across the world. In this study, we investigated how the flight period of bumblebee spring queens has shifted over the last century in Sweden, and to what extent such shifts depended on climate change, landscape context, latitude, and the phenology of bumblebee species. We studied ten species of bumblebees and used observations from museum specimens covering 117 years from the southernmost region in Sweden (Scania), combined with citizen-reported observations during the past 20 years across Sweden. We found that the flight period of bumblebees has advanced by 5 days on average during the last 20 years across Sweden. In the agriculture-dominated region of Scania, we found that in the late 2010s bumblebee spring queen activity in simplified landscapes had advanced by on average 14 days, compared to 100 years ago. In addition, in simplified landscapes the flight period of early species was significantly earlier compared to in complex landscapes. Our results provide knowledge on the intraspecific variation of phenological traits, indicating that early species (often common species) exhibit a higher plastic response to the environment, which may facilitate adaptation to both climate and landscape changes, compared to the late species of which many are declining.