Phenology and Environmental Change:

Challenges and OpportunitiesThe High Plains Initiative for Integrated The High Plains Initiative for Integrated

PhenologyPhenologyUniversity of NebraskaUniversity of Nebraska

http://csce.unl.edu/phenology/

Contact: P. Stephen Baenziger, Contact: P. Stephen Baenziger, pbaenziger1@unl.edu

402-472-1538402-472-1538

Supported by a Cluster Grant from the Office of Supported by a Cluster Grant from the Office of Research, University of Nebraska-LincolnResearch, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Vice Chancellor Prem S. PaulVice Chancellor Prem S. Paul

Background:

Phenology studies the seasonal timing of different Phenology studies the seasonal timing of different developmental stages and the life cycles of plants and developmental stages and the life cycles of plants and animals. Understanding the processes that impact these animals. Understanding the processes that impact these developmental stages and forecasting phenological developmental stages and forecasting phenological stages are important to growers, food processors, crop stages are important to growers, food processors, crop insurance and seed companies, the commodities insurance and seed companies, the commodities markets, and those who enjoy the aesthetics of plants. markets, and those who enjoy the aesthetics of plants. Similarly, climate change modeling and satellite-based Similarly, climate change modeling and satellite-based forecasting systems need basic phenology networks and forecasting systems need basic phenology networks and models to interpret their spectral data, especially the models to interpret their spectral data, especially the “greenness” or photosynthetic response to the “greenness” or photosynthetic response to the environment. environment.

Background:

In Nebraska and the High Plains region, a phenology In Nebraska and the High Plains region, a phenology network and the resulting models are needed to: 1) network and the resulting models are needed to: 1) simulate alternative crop adaptation and rotations, 2) simulate alternative crop adaptation and rotations, 2) better target genotypes with value added quality traits to better target genotypes with value added quality traits to the landscape, 3) improve irrigation water management, the landscape, 3) improve irrigation water management, 4) design new decision support systems for integrated 4) design new decision support systems for integrated pest management and organic agroecosystems, forecast pest management and organic agroecosystems, forecast insect and plant disease outbreaks, and 5) provide the insect and plant disease outbreaks, and 5) provide the cyberinfrastructure that can lead to information fusion cyberinfrastructure that can lead to information fusion for complex ecosystems and societies.for complex ecosystems and societies.

Background:Lilac Kharkov Wheat

Background:

NRPN: location of replicated yield trials and regional production zones. North central plains Northwest plains Northern plains Northern high plains

Northwest plains unassigned

Data on KharkovData on Kharkov

Since 1935Since 1935

SRPN: location of replicated yield trials and regional production zones.

North central plains Central plains Northern high plains Southern high plains

Southern plains Intermountain unassigned

Data on KharkovData on KharkovSince 1935Since 1935

Phenology and Environmental Change: Phenology and Environmental Change: Challenges and OpportunitiesChallenges and Opportunities

• Our audience includes biologists (ecologists, crop Our audience includes biologists (ecologists, crop specialists), geologists/geographers, those involved in specialists), geologists/geographers, those involved in remote sensing, modelers, and computer scientists. remote sensing, modelers, and computer scientists.

• Our program was developed to bring in five speakers who Our program was developed to bring in five speakers who are specialists in phenology, climate change, land cover, are specialists in phenology, climate change, land cover, computer sciences, and data mining.computer sciences, and data mining.

• We want to have ample time for discussions and have We want to have ample time for discussions and have provided some discussion questions for your use.provided some discussion questions for your use.

Phenology and Environmental Change: Phenology and Environmental Change: Challenges and OpportunitiesChallenges and Opportunities

• Develop a common understanding of phenology and how Develop a common understanding of phenology and how it might be related to the environment and climate change.it might be related to the environment and climate change.

• Consider what types of databases and information can be Consider what types of databases and information can be used to understand phenology as an environmental used to understand phenology as an environmental indicator and for decision making. Can agricultural (crop) indicator and for decision making. Can agricultural (crop) databases be used? databases be used?

• How can we coordinate the databases with computer How can we coordinate the databases with computer technology to begin “mining” our data and to model technology to begin “mining” our data and to model ecosystems?ecosystems?

Phenology and Environmental Change: Phenology and Environmental Change: Challenges and OpportunitiesChallenges and Opportunities

• How should the Nebraska efforts augment, supplement, How should the Nebraska efforts augment, supplement, and collaborate with the national efforts?and collaborate with the national efforts?

• What would be a signature program in this area? What would be a signature program in this area?

• We intend to write a report of this meeting so we can have We intend to write a report of this meeting so we can have a citable summary of our activities. The report will also be a citable summary of our activities. The report will also be web accessible through our website: web accessible through our website: http://csce.unl.edu/phenology/

• Should we consider having a workshop again next year?Should we consider having a workshop again next year?

Phenology and Environmental Change: Phenology and Environmental Change: Challenges and OpportunitiesChallenges and Opportunities

Welcome Welcome Thank you for your Participation!Thank you for your Participation!