Phenology Studies

Nature's Calendar

P3-7 are helping David Verbyla a "Remote Sensing "Scientist

Detecting Budburst

Green Up

Green Down

Our Research Data

Nature's Calendar

P1/2 are recording information for "Nature's Calendar". They have to listen and watch out for the first signs of Spring and take a note of the date when they see the first buds on the silver birch; hear the first song thrush; see the first 7-spot ladybird and lots more. They put stickers on a big poster in the classroom, then they send their results to the Woodland Trust. Back to top

P3-7 are helping David Verbyla a "Remote Sensing "Scientist

We are doing a plant phenology study which means watching 4 buds on atree during "green up" growth and "green down". Green up and Green down can be estimated from satellite data, but these estimates have to be validated with observations throughout the Globe, and that's what we've been asked to do - be part of the research team!! Back to top

Detecting Budburst

Firstly we watch the buds on our trees to see if any have burst open. We look to see if there are any tiny leaves inside the bud. We have to record the dates when this happens. Back to top

Green Up

This is when we record the time of bud burst and monitor the growth of a leaf. We check the buds twice a week. We say whether the bud is
DORMANT - unchanged
SWELLING - getting bigger
BUDBURST - first time we see green tips of leaves
LOST - if something happens and our bud disappears
We also ahve to measure the length of the leaf in mm Back to top

Green Down

We say what colour the leaf is then watch for when the colour changes.
We also need to say if the leaf is covered in snow, or if it has fallen. Back to top

Our Research Data

All our findings are sent to GLOBE where David Verbyla is observing plant activity throughout the world. Back to top