Sevilleta LTER Core Site Phenology Study (2000)

Plant phenology or life-history pattern, changes seasonally as plants grow, mature, flower, and produce fruit and seeds. Plant phenology follows seasonal patterns, yet annual variation may occur due to annual differences in the timing of rainfall and ambient temperature shifts. Plant foliage growth and fruit and seed production are important aspects of plant population dynamics and food resource availability to animals that feed on plants, fruit, and seeds. The purpose of this study is to assess plant phenology patterns across a series of biotic communities that represent an environmental moisture gradient. These communites include: Chihuhuan Desert creosotebush shrubland, Chihuahuan Desert black grama grassland, Chihuahan Desert/Great Plains/Rocky Mountain juniper savanna, and Rocky Mountain pinyon pine/juniper woodland. Plant phenology is recorded for all plant species across 5 replicate 200 m transects at each of the 4 habitat sites. Plant phenology measurements are taken once every month throughout each year. The first 10 individuals of each plant species encountered along each transect are assessed for life-history status. Data recorded include the status of leaves, flowers and fruit. Leaves are recorded as new, old, brown or absent, flowers and fruit are recorded as present or absent. Plant phenology data were collected in all 4 core research sites sites in 2000.