Vascular synphenology of plant communities around Cambridge Bay, Victoria Island, Nunavut during the growing season of 2015

The phenology (the timing of life cycle events) of the most representative vascular species in ecosystems around Cambridge Bay (synphenology) has been recorded during the growing season of 2015, from mid-June to beginning of September. Vegetative (leaf) as well as generative (flower and seed) development in shrubby, herbaceous and graminoid plant species have been assessed at weekly intervals using a phenological key with 11 phenological stages, from the development of the first leaf/first floral bud to leaf death/seed dispersal (see data for phenological key). Additionally, the different phenological stages of plants were documented also by digital photographs taken at the time of phenological assessment (not all plants/sites surveyed and photographed are in the data sheet). The phenological development of plant species is strongly dependent on seasonal variations in environmental factors, especially temperature. Phenological records of entire plant communities over periods of many years can serve therefore as invaluable proxies for interannual changes in temperature due to climate change and global warming. The datafiles are available in both excel and csv format.