Photo by gullevek via Flickr

Coincidentally, I also recently came across the USA National Phenology Network. Phenology (not to be confused with phrenology), is the study of phenophases (recurring plant and animal life cycle events). Whereas Weathernews was running the “My Sakura” project to collect data from citizen scientists, the NPN collects data from the public on a variety of species through the “My NPN” project. They do have a preferred set of “calibration species”, but their database includes dozens of species that can be tracked using the system. Because phenophases are sensitive to changes in climate, recording and studying phenological observations can reveal the ways in which our ecosystems change in response to global warming.

In addition to creating a massive dataset, this project is great for another reason. Maybe it’s just the scientist in me, but I get excited about going out and making the observations. I have two of the calibration species in my yard, and I’m starting to think of them as amazing organic instruments. In addition to the foliage and blossoms, there is a beauty to the unfolding growth process that I’m appreciating more by learning about the phenophases and making observations over the long term.

The convergence of nature, technology, and research in these projects is really quite remarkable. I hope that we see many similar efforts in the future.