Web edition: March 19, 2008

Phenology may not be a word that trips off your tongue, but it may be one you want to consider adding to your vocabulary. It has the same root as phenomena, and in fact deals with biological events linked to climate—such as bird migrations and plant germination. The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research has set up a program to collect data from the public on the first appearances of buds, leaves, seeds, and fruits in everything from trees to weeds. These events will help map how changing climate is affecting terrestrial ecology.

Go to: www.windows.ucar.edu/citizen_science/budburst.