Monitoring Tree Phenology under Global Change

Dear Colleagues,

Scientists have been monitoring tree phenology for a long time. Studying and observing the timing and sequence of recurring biological events in trees throughout their life cycle allows us to comprehend the dynamics of tree phenology and its links to environmental changes, especially under evident climatic change. Tree phenological studies have focused on leaf budbreak and senescence, as well as seed production, and more recently on cambial dynamics, stem radial growth, and their relationships with carbon stock. These events need to be observed at high frequency in the long term. New monitoring systems and instruments have been developed for this purpose. The use of satellite data, i.e., vegetation indexes, and particularly, the Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring systems, will help in elucidating the phenological plasticity of trees in semi-real-time and at different spatial scales. This Special Issue aims to collect research studies about tree phenology and functionality using traditional methods, such as field visual observation, as well as experimental studies. Particular attention will be given to phenological monitoring and leaf and wood development using new real-time instruments.

Potential topics include those listed below, although we are not limited to these topics if the submission is in line with the general theme as described above:

• New monitoring methods of stem radial growth and leaf phenology;
• Data obtained by IoT instruments and new monitoring systems;
• Long-term monitoring of tree phenology;
• Impact of environmental changes on tree phenology;
• Phenology in mixed-species forests;
• Relationships between phenological patterns and disturbance trends.

Dr. Serena Antonucci
Dr. Roberto Tognetti
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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