Meteorology, Phenology, and Leaf Area

As a result of climate change, forests are being affected more frequently and severely by extreme weather events such as droughts and heatwaves, which have a significant impact on a range of forest ecosystem functions e.g. tree growth, nutrient cycles and stand vitality. To understand the main driving force in forest ecosystems, local meteorological information close to Level II stations is essential.

The Expert Panel on Meteorology, Phenology, and Leaf Area Index ensures that high quality meteorological and soil hydrological data from Level II stations are available over long periods of time. These data, including weather data needed for hydrological modelling and calculation of stress indicators, need to be comparable in order to form the basis for further scientific analyses and modelling.

The response of forests is monitored by phenological observations (e.g. leaf flushing, autumnal color change, and leaf fall), as well as annual maximum (LAImax)and seasonal change of leaf area in the canopy.

More detailed information on phenological assessments