The response of biota to changes in climatic factors using the example of birch (Betula L.) phenorhythms growing in the forests of the Voronezh region

The study reveals the degree of influence of climatic influences on the tree species, the fluffy birch, which grows in the Voronezh region. The temperature of the atmospheric air can act as a determining indicator of the impact on vegetation. The purpose of the work is to analyze trends in the timing of the onset of vegetative phenological phenomena in comparison with the nature of climatic changes. The object of the study was the forest regional system of the Voronezh region, and the subject was the downy birch (Betula pubescens) and the correlation of its phenological rhythms with climatic indicators. The temperature of the atmospheric air was analyzed on a monthly basis, and the meteorological data were averaged over two basic climatic periods. Over the entire research period, there has been a shift in the dates of the beginning and duration of phenological phases and phenomena. In comparison with two basic climate periods (from 1961 to 1990 and from 1991 to 2020), there has been a change in the temperature regime in the region. The onset of spring phenological phases has been observed several days earlier than usual. There has been a direct correlation between the onset of sap flow, leaf expansion, and flowering, and the influence of air temperature. The response of the birch plantations demonstrated a strong correlation with atmospheric air temperature. Such studies are useful in selecting the range of reforestation in the context of climate change in the region. The shift in phenological rhythms can be considered as a bioindicator of climate change on Earth.

1. Elagin I.P., Lobanov A.I. Atlas-identifier of plant phenological phases. Moscow: Nauka, 1976. 96 p. (In Russ.)

2. Fomin E.S., Fomina T.I. Phenological Responses of Perennial Plants to Climate Change in Western Siberia. Siberian Environmental Journal, 2023, vol. 30, no. 6, pp. 760–772. DOI: 10.15372/SEJ20230603. (In Russ.)

3. Hájková L., Kožnarová V., Možný M., Bartošová L. Influence of climate change on flowering season of birch in the Czech Republic. International Journal of Biometeorology, 2020, vol. 64, pp. 791–801. DOI: 10.1007/s00484-020-01869-1.

4. Korotkova O.E. Weather-climatic and phenological deviations of 2020 in Khopersky Reserve compared to long-term data from 1939–2020. Proceedings of the Morovsky State Nature Reserve named after P.G. Smidovich, 2021, no. 28, pp. 199–207. (In Russ.)

5. Kuznetsov A.V. Leaf unfolding in phenological forms of pedunculate oak in Tellermano oak grove. Biodiversity and anthropogenic transformation of natural ecosystems: mat. of All-Russ. sci.-pract. conf. dedic. to memory of professor A.I. Zolotukhin. Saratov, 2015, pp. 131–134. (In Russ.)

6. Rojo J., Oteros J., Picornell A., Maya-Manzano J.M., Damialis A., Zink K., Werchan M., Werchan B., Smith M., Menzel A., Timpf S., Traidl-Hoffmann C., Bergmann K.-C., Schmidt-Weber C.B., Buters J. Effects of future climate change on birch abundance and their pollen load. Global change biology, 2021, vol. 27, pp. 5934–5949. DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15824.

7. Sapelnikova I.I. Natural Chronicle: Vegetation and its Changes. Seasonal Development of Plants at Voronezh Reserve. Scientific Research in Reserves and National Parks of Russia (2015–2021). Simferopol, 2022, iss. 5, pp. 127–128. (In Russ.)

8. Solovyov A.N. Biota and Climate. Regional Phenology. Moscow: Pasva, 2005. 288 p. (In Russ.)

9. Shumik N.I. Scientific principles for creating biologically sustainable green spaces in modern urban landscapes. Decorative Gardening in Russia: collection of mat. of All-Russ. sci.-pract. conf. Sochi, 2008, pp. 360–366. (In Russ.)

10. Tishin D.V., Chizhikova N.A. Phenology (Observation Methods). Kazan: Kazan Federal University, 2022. 36 p. (In Russ.)

11. Voskova A.V., Gordeeva Z.I., Mini A.A. Changes in the duration of vegetation in warty birch on the East European plain in recent decades. Izvestiya Rossiyskoy akademii nauk. Geography series, 2007, no. 3, pp. 59–61. (In Russ.)

12. Zaytsev, G. N. Phenology of Woody Plants. Moscow: Nauka, 1981. 120 p. (In Russ.)