RCN - USA National Phenology Network

物候学是研究周期性的植物和动物生命周期事件（叶片和开花，昆虫出现，鸟类，鱼类和哺乳动物的迁徙），以及这些事件如何受到环境因素，特别是温度和降水的季节性变化的影响。虽然物候学是环境科学的一个影响深远的组成部分，但人们对它的了解却很少。重要的问题包括环境如何影响物候，物候如何影响植物和动物的丰度、多样性和相互作用，物候如何影响水、能量和化学元素的流动。通过充分的观察和理解，物候学可以用来预测地方到国家层面的重要过程，并可以推动各种科学和实际应用。然而，物候数据的预测潜力需要一种新的数据资源——一个综合物候观测的国家网络和获取/分析这些数据的工具。国家网络对于检测和评价正在发生的环境变化至关重要，现在可以利用与其他观测网络、卫星数据产品、新兴技术、数据管理能力、正式和非正式教育机会的整合，以及公众参与国家范围自然系统调查的新准备。更广泛的影响。美国国家物候网络（NPN）提供了一个独特的机会，可以加强联邦机构和学术界之间的合作，促进和招募公众参与对自然的研究和理解，并服务于农业、商业、教育、卫生、娱乐和自然资源方面的公众需求。USA-NPN将积极支持参与组织之间的学生/早期研究人员交流/培训计划，以及来自代表性不足社区的学生、公民和科学家参与所有网络活动。美国国家自然保护区致力于让公众作为公民科学家物候学观察员积极参与。该网络将通过为USA-NPN网页开发额外的功能来加强这一机会，这些功能将促进科学教育并促进对复杂环境问题的更好理解。

Phenology is the study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events (leafing and flowering, insect emergence, and bird, fish, and mammal migration), and how these are influenced by environmental factors, especially seasonal variations in temperature and precipitation. Though a far-reaching component of environmental science, phenology is poorly understood. Important questions include how the environment affects phenology, how phenology affects the abundance, diversity, and interactions of plants and animals, and how phenology affects flows of water, energy, and chemical elements. With sufficient observations and understanding, phenology can be used to predict important processes at local to national levels, and could drive a variety of scientific and practical applications. However, the predictive potential of phenological data requires a new data resource - a national network of integrated phenological observations and the tools to access/analyze them. A national network is essential to detect and to evaluate ongoing environmental changes, and can now capitalize on integration with other observation networks, satellite data products, emerging technologies, data management capabilities, formal and informal educational opportunities, and a new readiness of the public to participate in investigations of natural systems on a national scale.Broader Impacts. The USA National Phenology Network (NPN) represents a unique opportunity to increase collaboration between federal agencies and the academic community, to facilitate and recruit public participation in the study and understanding of Nature, and to serve public needs in Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Health, Recreation, and Natural Resources. The USA-NPN will actively support student/early researcher exchange/training programs among participating organizations, as well as participation by students, citizens, and scientists from under-represented communities in all network activities. The USA-NPN is committed to substantial participation from members of the public as citizen-scientist phenological observers. The network will enhance this opportunity by developing additional features for the USA-NPN Web page that will promote science education and foster better understanding of complex environmental issues.