Trees Awake #5: Climate Change and Phenology
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Provided by: Paleontological Research Institution|Published on: June 21, 2022
Videos
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This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This video explains the relationship between climate change and tree phenology, or the seasonal patterns of tree leaf-out and leaf drop.
- Using graphs and research to support her argument, the host explains how increases in temperature in the Northeast have led to earlier shifts in seasonal patterns.

Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: Paleontological Research Institution, Ingrid Zabel
Region: North America, USA - Northeast, United States, New York, Central & Western NY
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This video references many graphs and scientific papers that have confirmed the shift in the local climate.
- The narrator highlights the importance of citizen science for collecting data and monitoring the effects of climate change.
- Links to more information can be found in the video description.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students should already have a basic understanding of the difference between weather and climate.
- Students should know how to read a graph or they should receive guided support in examining the data before watching the video.
Differentiation
- Teachers can print the graphs from the video and ask students to explain the data and how the shift in temperature is affecting wildlife.
- Students can examine more climate projections and graphs of the changing climate of New York state by clicking on the first link in the video description.
- The video description provides a link to instructions for a citizen science project from Nature's Notebook that teachers can use with students.
- Other resources on this topic include this article about plants and animals that are confused by climate change and this video on the effects of climate change on agriculture in New Jersey.
Scientist Notes
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About the Partner Provider

Paleontological Research Institution
Paleontological Research Institution (PRI) is a national leader in Earth systems science education. They strive to help make sense of the present and potential future climate change, while also increasing understanding of global change in Earth’s past. Their programs focus on systems thinking, understanding scale and learning in your own backyard.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →




