title: Urban phenological studies - Past, present, future.
abstract: Phenology is believed to be a suitable bio-indicator to track climate change. Based on the strong statistical association between phenology and temperature phenological observations provide an inexpensive means for the temporal and spatial analysis of the urban heat island. However, other environmental factors might also weaken this relationship. In addition, the investigation of urban phenology allows an estimation of future phenology from current information since cities with their amplified temperatures may serve as a proxy for future conditions. Nevertheless, the design of spatial compared to long-term studies might be influenced by different factors which should be taken into consideration when interpreting results from a specific study. In general, plants located in urban areas tend to flush and bloom earlier than in the countryside. What are the consequences of these urban-rural differences? This review will document existing findings on urban phenology and will highlight areas in which further research is needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, Ecoclimatology, Technische Universität München, 85354 Freising, Germany; Institute for Advanced Study, Technische Universität München, 85748 Garching, Germany. Electronic address: jochner@wzw.tum.de.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jochner
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, Ecoclimatology, Technische Universität München, 85354 Freising, Germany; Institute for Advanced Study, Technische Universität München, 85748 Garching, Germany. Electronic address: menzel@wzw.tum.de.
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Menzel
mesh_terms: D002947:Cities; D057231:Climate Change; D004777:Environment; D006802:Human Activities; D063245:Plant Development; D012621:Seasons; D013696:Temperature; D014887:Weather
keywords: Climate change; Phenology; Temperature; Urban heat island