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Phenology and nature's shifting rhythms - Regina Brinker

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With rapidly rising global temperatures come seasonal changes. As spring comes earlier for some plant species, there are ripple effects throughout the food web. Regina Brinker explains how phenology, or the natural cycles of plants and animals, can be affected by these changes.

Additional Resources for you to Explore

Phenology is the study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events and how these are influenced by seasonal and interannual variations in climate, as well as habitat factors.
Project BudBurst launched in 2007 as a national field campaign. It was designed to engage the public in the observation and collection of important ecological data based on the timing of leafing, flowering, and fruiting of plants (aka plant phenophases). The data are collected in a consistent manner across the country so scientists can use this information to learn more about the responsiveness of individual plant species to changes in climate locally, regionally and nationally.
The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is a continental-scale ecological observation system for examining critical ecological issues.
The North American Bird Phenology Program houses a unique and largely forgotten collection of six million Migration Observer Cards that illuminate migration patterns and population status of the birds of North America. These handwritten cards contain almost all of what was known of bird distribution and natural history from the latter part of the 19th century through World War II.
The Roots & Shoots program is about making positive change happen—for our people, for animals and for the environment. With tens of thousands of young people in more than 120 countries, the Roots & Shoots network connects youth of all ages who share a desire to create a better world.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Animator Andres Bernal
  • Artist Daniela Bernal
  • Director David Bernal
  • Editor Gustavo Martinez
  • Producer Nestor B. Macias, Sonia Rodriguez, The Leading Sheep Studios
  • Educator Regina Brinker
  • Narrator Regina Brinker

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