Speaker
Description
Long-term phenological data is essential for climate change research, yet consistent, multi-century datasets are scarce. While herbaria provide a unique temporal archive, the recent reliance on digitised specimen images has limitations, as many subtle phenological traits are invisible or distorted in 2D formats. In this poster, we present the conceptual framework for PhenObs@herbaria, a new initiative by the international phenology network of botanical gardens, PhenObs.
The project aims to bridge the gap between spatial phenological patterns observed in botanical gardens and temporal patterns preserved in herbaria. We propose a novel protocol specifically designed for examining physical specimens, ensuring that the level of accuracy of observations is comparable to that of field observations. We outline a pilot study involving 34 herbaceous species to test the alignment of phenological variation across regional and European scales. By focusing on the physical specimens as 3D biological records, PhenObs@herbaria provides a standardised methodology for integrating historical collections into modern phenological monitoring.
| Status Group | Doctoral Researcher |
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