R code for Leaf senescence exhibits stronger climatic responses during warm than during cold autumns

A warmer
world could extend growing seasons for plants. Changes in spring phenology have
been studied, yet autumn phenology remains poorly understood. Using >500,000
phenological records of four temperate tree species between 1951 and 2013 in
Europe, we show that leaf senescence in warm autumns exhibits significantly
stronger climate responses, with a higher phenological plasticity, than in cold autumns, indicating a nonlinear response to climate. The
onset of leaf senescence in warm autumns was delayed due to the stronger
climate response, primarily caused by
nighttime warming. However, daytime warming, especially during warm autumns, imposes a drought stress which
advances leaf senescence. This may
counteract the extension of growing season under global warming. These findings provide guidance for more reliable predictions of
plant phenology and biosphere-atmosphere feedbacks in the context of global
warming.