Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2012, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (12): 1217-1225.DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1258.2012.01217

• Research Articles •     Next Articles

Changes of main phenophases of natural calendar and phenological seasons in Beijing for the last 30 years

ZHONG Shu-Ying, GE Quan-Sheng*(), ZHENG Jing-Yun, DAI Jun-Hu, WANG Huan-Jiong   

  1. Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
  • Received:2012-09-13 Accepted:2012-09-03 Online:2012-09-13 Published:2012-11-28
  • Contact: GE Quan-Sheng

Abstract:

Aims Our objective is to reveal changes of main phenophases of natural calendar and phenological seasons and the reasons for this change. Therefore, we recompiled the natural calendar for 1981-2010 at the Summer Palace in Beijing and compared it to the natural calendar for 1963-1982. Methods Based on the phenological data from Chinese Phenology Observation Network of Chinese Academy of Sciences and the meteorological data, we compiled a natural calendar (1981-2010) with phenophases of 19 plant speices, ice freeze-up and break-up dates for Kunming Lake. Correlation analysis and regression analysis were used to examine the relationships between change of phenological season and climatic drivers. Important findings In comparison with the original natural calendar, the first dates of phenological spring and summer were advanced by two days and five days, respectively, while the first dates of autumn and winter were delayed by one day and four days, respectively. The lengths of summer and autumn were prolonged by six days and three days, while the lengths of spring and winter were shortened by three days and six days, respectively. The order of spring, autumn, winter phenophases changed with different degrees. The average, earliest, latest date of phenology showed advances mainly in spring and summer and delay in autumn and winter. Temperature change before the first date of spring, summer, winter and the sunshine duration before the first date of autumn are probably the main reason for the changes of phenological season in Beijing Summer Palace. Different responses of different species and phenophase result in change of phenophase order in seasons.

Key words: Beijing, climate change, natural calendar, phenological season