Phenology
Plant phenology is concerned with the periodically recurring developmental phenomena of plants throughout the year. The times at which characteristic stages of vegetation occur are observed and recorded. They are closely related to the weather
and climate and are therefore suitable for a wide range of applications, e.g. in agricultural meteorology and for scientific studies, e.g. for climate impact research. How does plant development change when temperatures rise and vice versa?
Biosphere data is only sparsely collected worldwide. The German-speaking countries of Austria, Switzerland and Germany have 170 - 150 years of plant observation series. In the last three decades, however, old networks have been reactivated in some countries, and networks have been revitalized or newly established.
If you are interested, I can also combine the topic of phenology and "honeybees ...".
The honey bee in the annual cycle - bees and weather
Like our native flora, the bee colony goes through an annual cycle - closely linked to the
closely linked to plant development - an annual cycle. The circle opens when the bees fly out on the first warm days in the so-called phenological early spring for a cleaning flight and closes when the colony forms a cluster in winter.
In between lies a busy time for the bee colonies.
The bees work partly openly, namely when they fly out to collect water, pollen, nectar or tree resin.
The activities that are hidden from view take place in the hive. These can only be observed by the beekeeper when he opens the hive or makes his observations directly at the flight hole. In addition to the season, the weather has a major influence on all activities. This needs to be discussed.
If you are interested, I can also combine the topics of phenology and honey bees.
Agriculture and weather
It is well known that transportation - whether by road, rail, water or air - is highly dependent on the weather. Agriculture is no less dependent on the weather. Many weather elements have a negative impact on plant development and/or yield, such as cold, heat, frost, drought, heavy precipitation, hailstorms, sultriness and strong winds. On the other hand, there is "vigorous weather", which has a positive influence on both plant development and yield. As a result, the weather has the greatest influence on agricultural yields.
The increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) content of the atmosphere also contributes to "vigorous weather". CO2 is a so-called climate gas and is suspected of increasing the earth's temperature, i.e. being responsible for climate change.
What influence do cities, built-up areas, forests, agricultural land, water areas (and deserts) have on the weather elements and on the local climate?
We are all familiar with the term "urban heat island". It is a clear indication that city centers are warmer than the surrounding countryside. Another example is the forest. Forests have a "dampening" effect, cooling in summer and "warming" in winter.
Why this is the case is a question of meteorology. Each area listed in the title has an effect on different weather elements.
After the end of the last ice age, only a few million people lived on earth. They were Stone Age people with low aspirations. In the "Great Holocene Optimum" (the long, warmest period of "our" interglacial period), globally favorable climatic conditions prevailed for the cultural and quantitative development of mankind. The environmental conditions changed as a result of human activity. For example, the deforestation of the forests around the Mediterranean by the Romans due to their great "hunger for wood" should be mentioned here. This deforestation was accompanied by aridization (climate development towards a drier climate). Forests also spread across Germany after the last ice age. Gradually more and more intensive settlement meant that the forest had to give way to its current extent. Of course, this also had an impact on the climatic conditions in this country.
The importance of the atmosphere for our planet
The atmosphere in the meteorological sense is the envelope of air that surrounds us. It is a "good atmosphere" in the truest sense of the word, as it not only provides us with oxygen to breathe and the vital carbon dioxide (CO2) for plants to grow, but also protects us from the inhospitable nature of outer space. An outstanding role in this
greenhouse gases, especially water vapor and carbon dioxide. Since the formation of the solar system and thus the Earth, the composition of the atmosphere has changed significantly and with it the conditions on Earth. Did you know, for example, that the water in the oceans was once contained in the atmosphere as water vapor? You'll be surprised what else is there. We will also discuss the effects of greenhouse gases.
The climate history of the earth with a special focus on the climate after the last ice age
The temperature conditions on Earth changed greatly from the very beginning. The young Earth had a really hot surface temperature of around 700 degrees C. Only in the course of millions of years did the earth cool down to so-called warm climates and ice ages. The cooling and the composition of the atmosphere then gradually created the conditions for life on Earth. We live in the geological epoch of the Pleistocene. In this epoch, ice ages (glacials) alternate with interglacial periods (interglacials). The last ice age ended around 11,700 years ago and was replaced by "our" interglacial, which is why it is mild in our latitudes on an annual average, not icy at all. However, temperature fluctuations also occur within the interglacial warm periods. The changes after the last ice age and the effects on mankind will be examined. Knowledge of the paleoclimate is
background knowledge in the discussion about climate change.
Sunspot cycle, Milankowitsch cycles, ice ages, interglacial periods
At the upper limit of the atmosphere, the average annual irradiance per square meter perpendicular to the sun is 1367 watts (solar constant). "Constant" is not quite correct, because the solar constant is not a natural constant. The irradiance is subject to slight fluctuations, e.g. due to the changing distance of the earth from the sun over the course of the year, solar activity and the ageing of the sun.
Solar activity leads to varying solar irradiance. The natural sunspot cycles, which vary in duration and overlap, also influence the conditions on Earth. At present, the sun is not very active in terms of sunspots in the 200-year cycle; it is in a so-called sunspot minimum. During a sunspot minimum, the sun shines slightly weaker than during a sunspot maximum. The sunspot cycles, the changing orbit of the earth around the sun and the so-called Milankowitsch cycles are also the reason for the ice ages and interglacial periods during the ice ages. We are living in an interglacial period, i.e. at some point
the warm phase comes to an end and ice from the Arctic makes its way south again from the north. It remains to be seen whether and how the climate change simulated by climate researchers in the climate models can influence the development of a new ice age. Climate researchers agree that a new ice age is coming. But when will it come and by how many thousands of years will it be postponed?
