Webinar: The times they are a changing: Shifting phenology in Northeast coastal ecosystems

Climate change is causing species to shift their phenology, or the timing of recurring life events, in variable and complex ways. If these shifts differ among species, the result would be mismatches or asynchronies in food and habitat resources that impact individual fitness, population dynamics, and ecosystem function. While climate change induced shifts in phenology have been well documented in terrestrial ecosystems, particularly relative to flowering plants and migratory song birds, studies of marine organisms have been limited.  

This presentation will provide an overview of the current state of knowledge of climate-induced shifts in marine and coastal phenology, with a focus on U.S. Northeast Atlantic ecosystems. We will highlight case studies on diadromous forage fishes, marine mammals, and seabirds that are demonstrating regional changes in phenology.

While climate is a likely factor influencing observed shifts, we will also discuss the possible direct and indirect mechanisms and the influence of other environmental and ecological stressors that raise questions about how best to disentangle other confounding signals.

Finally, changes in phenology have important implications for natural resource managers and conservation practitioners; to this end we will discuss potential phenological-related adaptation strategies and actions that can be used to help reduce uncertainty and improve species’ ability to respond to future environmental changes.

Visit the Northeast Climate Science Center webinar page to learn more.