Phenologists are scientists who study the timing of plant and animal life cycle events, such as leafing, flowering, and migration. They use this information to track how ecosystems are changing in response to climate change and other environmental factors.

For example, phenologists have observed that spring is starting earlier in many parts of the world. This means that plants are leafing and flowering earlier than they used to, which can have a ripple effect on the entire ecosystem. For example, earlier leafing means that trees are able to absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which can help to slow climate change. However, earlier flowering can also mean that plants are more vulnerable to frost damage, which can reduce crop yields.

Phenologists are working to understand how these changes are affecting ecosystems and how they can be mitigated. Their work is essential for helping us to adapt to the changing climate.