Family photos, journals and diaries are key clues when investigating genealogy. A team of researchers at West Virginia University is betting that these clues will also reveal a lot about climate change.

The WVU Natural History Museum has received a grant from the West Virginia Humanities Council to coordinate historical research in the area of phenology.

Phenology is the seasonal timing of life cycle events in plants and animals such as flowering, migration and breeding.

“Phenology is nature’s calendar,” said Jim Anderson, professor of wildlife and fisheries resources in the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design and director of the museum. “It’s the study of ecological cycles in response to climate, dictating when a rose-breasted grosbeak returns from wintering or a box turtle lays eggs, even when a buttercup blooms.”

Trends in the schedule of ecological cycles show shifts and mismatches in the timing of formerly synchronized events in response to climate change. Anderson and his colleagues hope to use historical data to develop a modern outreach and education program to evaluate phonological differences due to climate change.

“Anyone who has useful observation notes has phenological data and can contribute to this project,” said Lori Petrauski, a graduate student in wildlife and fisheries resources who is coordinating submissions. “Ideal historic phenological data sources include diaries from observers with an interest in natural science, records from field stations, archives from bird and game associations, personal databases, community newspaper columns, or anything comparable.”

“I’m excited for the project to progress into a citizen-science/educational program that will get different people involved with phenology, a very fascinating and relevant topic, especially in today’s climate-aware setting,” said Kasey Osborne, an undergraduate student working on the project. “We have already received data from a variety of sources, including 19th century field notes, observations from school classes and records from avid naturalists – and I look forward to see what others have to offer.”

If you or someone you know may be able to help with this project, including having access to desired data or networks of sources, or if you are simply curious about the project or the topic of phenology and have questions, please contact Lori Petrauski at lmpetrauski@mix.wvu.edu or (304) 293-0050.

-WVU-

dw/03/31/15

CONTACT: David Welsh, Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Design
304.293.2394, David.Welsh@mail.wvu.edu

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