Spring Wildflowers & the National Phenology Network
Annual monitoring of spring wildflowers by the Radford University Phenology Monitoring Program began in March 2018. Our monitoring efforts follow standardized field protocols established by the USA National Phenology Network, a consortium of scientists, resource managers, educators, and citizen-scientists working to collect data on more than 1,500 species of plants and animals across the United States (Denny et al. 2004).
According to The US Global Change and Research Program, start of spring is a critical indicator of climate change (USA-NPN 2018). The start of spring reflects the accumulation of heat sufficient enough to initiate leafing and flowering on temperature-sensitive plants, both native and invasive. By monitoring seasonal changes in plant and animal communities across natural habitats of the Appalachian Mountains, Radford University faculty and students are helping to document biodiversity and investigate species responses to urbanization, non-native invasive species, and climate change.
First Leaf and First Bloom Indices are measures of early season events (flowering and leaf bud-burst) in plants. Based on careful phenology monitoring by USA-NPN, partner organizations, and historical records, 2019 spring leaf out is occurring in the southwest, southeast, and mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S. And, this year, it is occurring 1-2 weeks early in the southeastern U.S. (orange to red) and 2-3 weeks late in the northwest (blue).
Spring Ephemerals = Wildflowers!
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) (Photo by N. Johnson 4/4/2018)
Spring in Virginia is a beautiful biological phenomena. With world-renowned diversity of wildflowers, Virginia is rich in natural beauty. These flowers attract a tremendous number of visits - from humans, interested in their beauty, to butterflies, beetles, and other pollinating insects interested in nectar and pollen.
Virginia's native wildflowers occupy a unique ecosystem niche. These "ephemeral" species bloom and reproduce before the tree canopy and native shrubs produce leaves and compete for valuable sunlight that the wildflowers need to grow.
Ephemeral wildflowers emerge from the ground in early to mid-spring. They can be identified by new growth, growing leaves, flowering, and fruit development, with all stages completed in just a few weeks. Having the right growing conditions is important for spring ephemerals. Weather that is too cold or too hot can be detrimental to species that complete their life cycles in a matter of a few weeks.
Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) (Photo by C. Gleason 4/15/2018)
Cutleaf Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata) (Photo by C. Gleason 4/15/2018)
Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) (Photo by N. Johnson 4/4/2018)
In spring 2018, the Radford Phenology Monitoring project (BIOL 481: Field Biology & Phenology) monitored several spring ephemerals, including bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), Cut-leaf toothwort (Cardamine concatenata), Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), and Spring beauty (Claytonia virginica). Our primary goal was to monitoring weekly changes in Appalachian spring wildflowers, from initial plant emergence, to leaf development, to flowering and fruiting. This data will allow us to explore potential impacts of climate change, invasive plant species, and other anthropogenic disturbances on our rich diversity of wildflowers and pollinators.
Masters, R.A., & R.l. Sheley. (2001). Principles and Practices for Managing Rangeland Invasive Plants. Journal of Range Management, 54(5), 502-517.
Small, C. J. & Chamberlain, J. L. (2015) Forest Diversity and Disturbance: Changing Influences and the Future of Virginia’s Forests. Virginia Journal of Science, 66(3). Url: https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/vjs/vol66/iss3/7/