Trees Awake #5: Climate Change and Phenology
Provided by: Paleontological Research Institution|Published on: June 21, 2022|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Videos
Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: Paleontological Research Institution, Ingrid Zabel
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 →
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.
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.
This 4-minute video presents the impact of climate change on trees and leaf cycles and presents examples of phenology, which is the study of cyclical and seasonal natural phenomena. The video presents how we can observe changes in tree and leaf cycles to understand our changing climate. This video is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
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.
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