Variability in timing of oak and maple autumn tree phenology across oak-hickory stands in Rock Bridge State Park, Columbia Missouri
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Tree phenology research provides evidence and indications of forest ecosystem dynamics and species environmental response to phenomena such as global climate change. The current literature has explored the various drivers of spring tree phenology among deciduous forests globally, however, fall seasons have seen less research studies. While there is abundant research available on fall phenology's influence on wildlife seasonal responses, there is not significant advancement in understanding what factors play into the timing of individual tree response to phenological change in end of season (EOS). In this study, three key phenophases of autumn leaf senescence were observed and compared annually at a species and community level in the Gans Creek Natural area of Rock Bridge State Park, Columbia, MO. Over a 5-year period (2018-2022), the day of year values and duration (in days) intervals of white oak (Quercus alba), red oak (Quercus rubra), and sugar maple (Acer saccharum) were collected using high-resolution-ground-based observation methods. Data was analyzed using multiple statistical techniques to compare mean values of the three phenophases duration and day of year intervals of interspecific and intraspecific samples. The data showed that intraspecific insignificant variability exists at the community level of oak to oak and maple to maple, but the interspecific variability of oak to maple yields a much stronger significant relationship. Coupling the autumn leaf senescence with green period over the 5-year interval showed that sugar maple produced a shorter green period annually than white oak and red oak species and produced an earlier and shorter end of season progression. These results can be used in the future to further examine tree phenology patterns at a local scale.
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M.A.