_{Pflanze KlimaKultur!: Assessing Climate influence on urban Plant diversity with citizen scientists}

The Citizen Science Project Pflanze KlimaKultur! wants to observe and research the influence of climate change on the seasonal development stages (phenology) of eleven selected herbaceous plant species in private and public gardens. The aim is to understand how climate changes affect the growth phases of plants.

Pflanze KlimaKultur! started in 2021 under coordination of the botanical gardens of Jena, Halle, Leipzig (Deutsches Zentrum für integrative Biodiversitätsforschung-IDiv) and Berlin. The Botanical Garden of Potsdam houses a model bed with the selected plants since April 2021. We offer the opportunity to visit it and take part in regular question and answer sessions.

The Research plants are:

Althaea officinalis Echter Eibisch | Marsh mallow

Clematis recta Aufrechte Waldrebe | Erect clematis

Eranthis hyemalis Winterling | Winter aconite

Filipendula vulgaris Kleines Mädesüß | Dropwort

Malva sylvestris Wilde Malve | Common mallow

Salvia nemorosa Steppen-Salbei | Woodland sage

Saponaria officinalis Gewöhnl. Seifenkraut | Common soapwort

Scabiosa canescens Duft-Skabiose | Grey scabious

Securigera varia Bunte Kronwicke | Purple crown vetch

Solidago virgaurea Gewöhnliche Goldrute | European goldenrod

Tulipa sylvestris Wilde Tulpe | Wild tulip

Please have a look on the official website for [more details]

Mission

Urban habitats have long since become "hot spots" of biodiversity and climate change. Temperature and precipitation extremes have a greater impact in the city than in the countryside. Its pronounced temperature gradient makes it the ideal place to research the consequences of climate change.

Plants are particularly sensitive indicators of climate change. They quickly reflect possible ecological effects of climate change. The date of entry into certain phases of the seasonal life cycles of plants (phenology) is significantly influenced by temperature. Climate changes can thus be easily read from changes in the temporal developmental stages of plants.

Research questions are:  

• When do the plants sprout, when do their leaves unfold, when do they flower, when do their fruits ripen, when do their leaves fall?
• How does climate change affect the seasonal developmental stages (phenology) of plants?
• Does phenology reflect the urban climate (or: the temperature gradient in the city)? Do the plants bloom earlier in the warm city centre than on the outskirts? Are these differences the same for all species and life stages?
• How do the results help to make urban greening more climate resilient, sustainable and liveable in the future?

(2) Project details site