Summary

Description

Phenology is critical to many aspects of human life and nearly all ecological relationships and processes. As global climate continues to warm and change, widespread shifts in phenological patterns are occurring across the globe, and more change is inevitable. This protocol has been developed to provide standardized methods for monitoring phenology within the National Park Service NPS Northeast Temperate Network NETN, as part of the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Program IM. NETN encompasses the Appalachian National Scenic Trail APPA, Acadia National Park ACAD, the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area BOHA, and 10 national historical parks and national historic sites in the Northeastern United States. This protocol was developed in collaboration with and relies upon the procedures and infrastructure of the USA National Phenology Network USANPN, including Natures Notebook, USANPNs online plant and animal phenology observation program www.nn.usanpn.org. Organized in 2007, USANPN is a nationwide partnership among federal agencies, schools and universities, citizen volunteers, and others to monitor and understand the influence of seasonal cycles on the nations biological resources. The overall goal of NETNs phenology monitoring program is to determine trends in the phenology of key species in order to assist park managers with the detection and mitigation of the effects of climate change on park resources. An additional programmatic goal is to interest and educate park visitors and staff, as well as a cadre of volunteer monitors.