Data from: A global test for phylogenetic signal in shifts in flowering time under climate change

1.Shifts in the timing of flowering are a conspicuous biological signal of
climate change. These shifts have been documented across the globe for
diverse communities. Although many species are flowering earlier, others
have exhibited no shifts or delays in flowering. 2.How species respond
phenologically will shape interactions both with other community members
and with the abiotic environment, altering fitness, abundance, and
ultimately persistence. 3.To understand if variability in phenological
response is influenced by evolutionary history, we tested for phylogenetic
signal in shifts in flowering onset for thirteen communities representing
116 families across the Northern Hemisphere. We compared the fit of models
of neutral evolution (Brownian Motion) with models that incorporate
selection (Ornstein-Uhlenbeck). 4.We found significant signal in whether
species had shifted and the magnitude of response, with both traits
conforming to an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck model of trait evolution. 5.Synthesis.
These results show there is global phylogenetic signal in the direction
and magnitude of shifts in flowering onset and indicate selection has
shaped flowering time responses of related species under climate change;
thus, environmentally determined optima may constrain whether and to what
degree species respond phenologically to climate change. Our findings
further demonstrate the value of testing for phylogenetic signal across
multiple communities and comparing multiple models of trait evolution.