Global vs Local Climate Change and Effects on Phenology

Climate scientists have shown that 2000-2010 is the warmest decade on record. One major prediction from climate change researchers is that growing season length will increase with increased global-scale warming. Using billy barr’s observations, biologist David Inouye and others showed that, as of 1999, the start of the growing season (snow melt date) around Gothic has not changed significantly since the early 1970s (Inouye et al., 2000). In contrast, many scientists that work at lower elevations have substantial evidence for lengthening growing seasons, earlier spring migrations, and earlier reproduction in a variety of different organisms. Inouye believes that this disconnect is a problem for both 1) migrating species that visit the high Rockies during the summer and 2) hibernating resident species, such as the marmot.
Listen to Colorado Matters as Dan Meyers speaks with billy barr, RMBL accountant, and Dr. Inouye from the University of Maryland. To listen to this interview (Colorado’s Marmots and Climate Change) click here – type in inouye to search for the radio program.
Major Points from Inouye et al., 2000
If migrating species arrive early and less food is available does this affect the timing of life events, their phenology?
How does emergence date affect marmot populations?
Inouye and others predict that the earlier start and longer duration of snow pack combined with increasing spring temperatures will disrupt phenological patterns for other hibernating species. If disjunction between climate change at low and high altitudes continues to expand, migrating species will also encounter problems.
Next step – You will test this hypothesis using an additional ten years of data in the Biology of Climate Change assignment. But first, check out the data on billy barr’s interactive data visualizer!