Phenology Methods

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Phenology Methods

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Central North Island phenology observation method

Southern Islands phenology

Timing of Events
Seed trays
Phenology observation of trees and large shrubs
Phenology observation of grass-like plants
Shoot extension on Metrosideros species

Phenology Monitoring – Waipapa Ecological Area, Pureora
Sampling units
A choice of eight tree species to be monitored was based on the then current knowledge of kaka diet, the potential importance of the flower/fruit crop likely to be produced within Waipapa and our ability (in terms of resources) to effectively monitor these species.  The species selected were rimu, matai, miro, kahikatea, tawa, hinau, rewarewa and fuchsia. 

At least ten specimens of each species were selected.  For those dioecious plant species (e.g. the podocarps) twenty individuals were selected in the hope that sufficient samples of male and female productivity could be assessed.  Individual trees were not all chosen at random.  A large number of trees were largely selected on our ability to be able to clearly see much of their foliage and from within a fairly circumscribed part of the main study area to reduce the time taken to monitor all of the trees.  On average a total of 130 individual trees were monitored on a regular basis. 

All trees were individually marked with numbered aluminium tags and grouped into “plots” which were conspicuously marked at access points.  Précis maps of the location of plots and tagged trees were also drafted as an aid to relocation.

 Sampling Regime
All trees were monitored on a monthly basis.  Initial monitoring was bi-monthly but it quickly became apparent that this interval was too large to accurately record the often rapid changes in availability and abundance of flowers and fruits.

 Given the size of the tree species being monitored (up to 40+ m) the use of binoculars and a spotting scope mounted on a tripod was mandatory.  Data was recorded on to prepared data sheets as follows:

 Phenology Observations
Month:                Date:          Sheet No.:            
Observer
:

 

 

Flowers

 

 

Fruit

Groundfall

 

Plant #

total #/m3

% open

Developmental stage of majority

total #/m3

% open

Developmental stage of majority

Circle for flowers, underline for fruit

Comment

0099

 

 

1      2       3       4

 

 

1      2       3       4

1-10  11-25  26-75  76+

 

0098

 

 

1      2       3       4

 

 

1      2       3       4

1-10  11-25  26-75  76+

 

0097

 

 

1      2       3       4

 

 

1      2       3       4

1-10  11-25  26-75  76+

 

0096

 

 

1      2       3       4

 

 

1      2       3       4

1-10  11-25  26-75  76+

 

 For each individual plant the number of flowers and fruits per cubic metre of potential flower and fruit bearing foliage/surface was estimated using seven size classes.  It should be noted that this estimate was also “averaged” over the entire tree (more accurately the part of the tree capable of producing flowers and fruits) and that a cubic metre will often take on different shapes dependent on the structure of the tree and where flowers and fruits are produced.  The seven size classes were as follows

(0)  0             
(1)  1-10       
(2)
  11-100     
(3)
  101-500           
(4)
  501-1000

(5)
  1001-5000    
(6)  5001-10,000
(7)
  10,000+

This classification hopefully provides a reasonable quantitative estimate of the number of flowers and fruits that are being produced.

The percentage of flowers open and fruits ripe provides some indication of the maturity relative to the numbers of flowers and fruit recorded per cubic metre.  This is backed up in greater detail by the columns recording the developmental stages of flowers and fruits.  These categories are defined as follows:

Developmental stage of flowers:   
(1)  bud showing           
(2)
  swelling and growing

(3)
  approximate mature size but still unopened         
(4)  open

 Developmental stage of fruit:   
(1)
  recently fertilised                       
(2)
  swollen and growing           
(3)
  approximate mature size but still unripe                    
(4)
  ripe

 The groundfall column provides something of a check as to what is going on up in the tree as well as highlighting any fruiting or flowering that may have been missed between monthly checks.  The four size classes represent quick counts of individual flowers and fruits found directly below a tagged tree.

 Interpretation
The relationship between diet and productivity, particularly the limitations to the latter, can only be examined if we know both the quantity of available plant foods and their temporal availability.  This applies not only to native species but their potential competitors and predators as well.  An understanding of plant phenology is therefore central to any interpretation of the dynamics of ecosystems we are attempting to manage.  Systematic long term measurements of plant productivity alongside those of the abiotic environment (temperature, rainfall, etc) are, therefore, essential if we wish to bind management practices more closely to the productivity of these environments.

Central North Island phenology observation method

Seed trays
Phenology observation of trees and large shrubs
Phenology observation of grass-like plants
Shoot extension on Metrosideros species

Southern New Zealand Island Phenology

Timing of Events  
The observations are linked to particular sites.  These localities have been not been included to protect the endangered species

Species and event

Planned date

Actual date

 

 

 

Seed trays setup

1 Jan

 

Seed trays change stockings

1 Feb

 

 

 

 

Manuka flowering

Feb

 

Rata flowering

Feb

 

Draco flowering

Feb

 

Gahnia flowering

Feb

 

Kamahi flowering

Feb

 

 

 

 

Cyathodes juniperina fruit

Feb

 

Astelia fragrans  flowers

Feb

 

 

 

 

Flax flowers

Feb

 

Kamahi flowers

Feb

 

Rata flowers

Feb

 

 

Feb

 

Coprosma lucida flowers

Feb

 

Pseudopanax simplex flowers

Feb

 

 

 

 

Seed trays change stockings

1 Mar

 

Seed trays change stockings

1 April

 

Seed trays change stockings

1 May

 

Seed trays change stockings

1 June

 

 

 

 

Upland rata growth

June

 

Coastal rata growth

June

 

 

 

 

Seed trays remove stockings

1 July

 

 

 

 

  Seed Trays

Put stockings on seed trays at the end of November, replace monthly until the end of June when you remove the last stocking.  Put a plastic label in each stocking with the seed tray number and the date it was brought in.  Dry above the fire in the hut and send to group leader.  Seed trays are numbered and mapped for easy collection.

Observation section

For trees and large shrubs

Manuka. Record flowering intensity in at least 50 plants as viewed from the specified location.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0 = no flowers, 1 = <20% canopy area with flowers, 2 = 20 - 50%, 3 = 50 - 80%, 4 = >80%.

Summary:

0

1

2

3

4

Number

 

 

 

 

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

    This same method is used for Rata, Dracophyllum longifolium, Kamahi, Cyathodes juniperina, Pseudopanax simplex ( large trees>2m high), Coprosma lucida (large trees>2m high)

For grass-like species

Gahnia procera Record flowering intensity (number of flower stems) in at least 50 individual tussocks along the track between Observation Rock and the Summit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary:

Average Number of Stems per tussock

 

 

Number of tussocks

 

Astelia fragrans Record flowering (yes/no) in at least 60 large plants (above waist height) along or near the Summit track from sea level to the Observation Rock track junction. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary

Percent flowering

 

 

Number examined

 

Phormium tenax Record total number of flowering stalks as seen from track when walking from the log crossing of the Creek to the woodens sign “Summit”.  Limit sample to plants west of Sealers Creek.

Summary:

Number of flowering stalks

 

   

June - Annual Measurements of Rata Growth

Measure (mm) previous (P) and current (C) years shoot extenstion growth on 5 canopy shoots from 10 rata trees growing near the track between Observation Rock and the Summit. Do not include terminal bud length. 

Date:

Observer:

Shoots

1

2

3

4

5

 

P

C

P

C

P

C

P

C

P

C

Plants 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Central North Island phenology observation method

Southern Islands phenology

Timing of Events
Seed trays
Phenology observation of trees and large shrubs
Phenology observation of grass-like plants