Forty years of symphenological research in a submontane calcareous beech forest under the influence of climate change

Dierschke, H. & Goedecke, F.: Forty years of symphenological research in a submontane calcareous beech forest under the influence of climate change. — Fl. Medit. 31 (Special Issue): 257-270. 2021. — ISSN: 1120-4052 printed, 2240-4538 online. An annual phenological survey was carried out between 1981 and 2020 in a mesic beech forest on limestone (Hordelymo-Fagetum lathyretosum) in Germany. Symphenological groups of species were defined according to concurrent flowering times. Using these groups, the vegetation period was subdivided into 9 phenophases, which are a refinement of the flowering waves introduced by Sandro Pignatti for European beech forests. For the three spring phases 2, 3 and 5 the starting time was analysed for a period of 40 years. Despite obvious fluctuations from year to year, the phases tended to start earlier, often in all phases in a synchronous manner. The extension of the vegetation period by 10-11 days is a striking sign of climate change. Finally, 60 years of cooperation and joint experiences of Sandro Pignatti and Hartmut Dierschke are briefly commented on.