PhenoMast - Integration of standardized tree seed mast observations into existing phenology monitoring networks
Category
Contribute
Institutions
WSL
Data type
Seed mast data
Field
Ecology
Researchers
Daniel Scherrer
Description
Many of the main tree species in Switzerland don't consistently produce the same amount of seeds every year. Instead, they have a pattern where they produce a large number of seeds every few years and then no seeds in between. This pattern is called "seed masting." Seed masting doesn't just affect how trees grow and regenerate; it also has a big impact on the whole ecosystem, including animals that rely on these seeds for food. Information on seed production is, therefore, crucial for both scientists and forest practitioners. The timing and frequency of these seed masts are influenced by various environmental factors and have been changing due to recent warming trends. To better understand and keep track of this, our project has created clear guidelines for recording seed masting in different tree species. These guidelines have been integrated into existing phenology networks. All this data is gathered and made available on a platform called Mastweb (https://mastweb.wsl.ch). On Mastweb, scientists and the public can find information about seed masting in general, detailed instructions for recording seed production, yearly summaries for Switzerland, and a new interactive web application for accessing and analyzing the existing data. This platform makes it more efficient to collect information about tree fertility, as it builds on existing networks and even allows citizen scientists to contribute. The data is freely accessible, so everyone can benefit from it.