KONZA ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

PHENOLOGY

               Phenology is the study of relationships between climate and biological phenomena as seen through observations of first biological events, such as the first day a flower blooms in the spring.  Periodic biological phenomena have been recorded and studied for centuries.  More recently biologists and climatologists are interested in such observations because they may show long-term trends in climate change.  For example, if the climate is warming, certain plants may bloom earlier each year or some animals may migrate north sooner than in previous years and stay longer before returning to wintering grounds.

            Observations taken each year at the same place over a long period of time are valuable for showing trends.  The Konza Environmental Education Program (KEEP) began recording phenological events at Konza Prairie several years ago, and those observations are posted on the KEEP website.  “What’s Blooming?” lists the procession of native plant species in bloom, and “Who’s Here?” lists the first sightings of the most common birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and insects that migrate, hibernate or otherwise appear on the landscape after an absence.   

          A phenology database is available for each of the animal groups and also for plants that are commonly found in the three prairie types of Kansas, tall, mixed and short.  These lists are not exhaustive but represent those plants and animals easily observed or abundant in all three prairie types.  Students can enter the date and location of first arrivals or first blooms in a special log-in page.  Your teacher can sign in for you with the id and password .  Click the icon at the bottom of this page called "Student Data Input".  The data you add becomes part of a long-term data set to show trends and relationships among plants or animals across Kansas. 

          Students across Kansas can participate in the study of phenology through periodic observation of familiar species if your teacher is signed up for the program.  Observations can be made in the schoolyard, your backyard, a local park, your prairie site, or anywhere you take note of what you see in your community.  Students can also take a more in-depth look at the species year round.

Teachers: If you would like to participate, for more information call 785/587-0381 or e-mail konzaed@ksu.edu.