Changes in Forest Phenology Influencing the Environmental
and Ecological Functions of Tree Species
Phenological changes caused by global climate change affect other aspects of plant
life cycle. The correlation of a plant with other flora and fauna is also altered, which
changes ecosystem-level, population-level, and community-level interactions.
Changes in plant phenology that govern different activities and balance abiotic
cycles may increase or decrease rates of global warming on Earth; vegetation change
may vary the energy exchanges between the terrestrial ecosystem and the atmosphere. Changes in energy balance in the ecosystem will endanger the species that
have synchronised life cycles with these phenophases, which eventually increase
discrepancy between the species and increase the risk of extinction for affected
species. With continued change in global climate and phenological response to these
climatic changes, this risk of extinction is expected to further increase.
Change in Reproductive System
Reproduction in an organism aims to propagate its progeny. The occurrence of
healthy progeny can only be determined by proper availability of a suitable environment for the maintenance of new offspring. Without proper resources, reduction
in population and even extinction can occur. Reproduction is only accomplished
when it occurs at the correct time; reproducing before the season or delaying
reproduction from the appropriate season leads to unavailability of required
resources. Change in reproductive season may lead to difficulty in finding mates
or fulfilling the demands of growing offspring (Visser et al. 1998).
Some studies show that increase in carbon dioxide concentration may advance or
delay the flowering season in different floral species. Elevated levels of CO 2 may
induce self-compatibility, which may limit outcrossing fertilisation and lead to
inbreeding depression (Bawa and Dayanandan 1998).
Effect on Plant–Pollinator Interactions
Plants depends upon biotic and abiotic factors for the process of pollination. Species
who depend on particular species for pollination may unable to complete this process
if those species are not available; hence, the presence of that species is crucial to
completing the pollination process. The advance or delay of flowering caused by
global increases in temperature and carbon dioxide may cause the absence of its
pollinating species.
Increased drought may lower the population densities of bees and insects that are
dependent on plant sap (nectar), and these insects act as a great pollinating medium
8 Forest Phenology as an Indicator of Climate Change: Impact and Mitigation. . .
197
and Ecological Functions of Tree Species
Phenological changes caused by global climate change affect other aspects of plant
life cycle. The correlation of a plant with other flora and fauna is also altered, which
changes ecosystem-level, population-level, and community-level interactions.
Changes in plant phenology that govern different activities and balance abiotic
cycles may increase or decrease rates of global warming on Earth; vegetation change
may vary the energy exchanges between the terrestrial ecosystem and the atmosphere. Changes in energy balance in the ecosystem will endanger the species that
have synchronised life cycles with these phenophases, which eventually increase
discrepancy between the species and increase the risk of extinction for affected
species. With continued change in global climate and phenological response to these
climatic changes, this risk of extinction is expected to further increase.
Change in Reproductive System
Reproduction in an organism aims to propagate its progeny. The occurrence of
healthy progeny can only be determined by proper availability of a suitable environment for the maintenance of new offspring. Without proper resources, reduction
in population and even extinction can occur. Reproduction is only accomplished
when it occurs at the correct time; reproducing before the season or delaying
reproduction from the appropriate season leads to unavailability of required
resources. Change in reproductive season may lead to difficulty in finding mates
or fulfilling the demands of growing offspring (Visser et al. 1998).
Some studies show that increase in carbon dioxide concentration may advance or
delay the flowering season in different floral species. Elevated levels of CO 2 may
induce self-compatibility, which may limit outcrossing fertilisation and lead to
inbreeding depression (Bawa and Dayanandan 1998).
Effect on Plant–Pollinator Interactions
Plants depends upon biotic and abiotic factors for the process of pollination. Species
who depend on particular species for pollination may unable to complete this process
if those species are not available; hence, the presence of that species is crucial to
completing the pollination process. The advance or delay of flowering caused by
global increases in temperature and carbon dioxide may cause the absence of its
pollinating species.
Increased drought may lower the population densities of bees and insects that are
dependent on plant sap (nectar), and these insects act as a great pollinating medium
8 Forest Phenology as an Indicator of Climate Change: Impact and Mitigation. . .
197