The timing of leaf senescence relates to flowering phenology and functional traits in 17 herbaceous species along elevational gradients
Cite this dataset
Bucher, Solveig Franziska; Römermann, Christine (2020). The timing of leaf senescence relates to flowering phenology and functional traits in 17 herbaceous species along elevational gradients [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.c59zw3r69
Abstract
Methods
This is the phenological data used in the manuscript. Phenology was monitored weekly on the two mountains at each elevational band, i.e. every 100 m increase in elevation during the growth phase in two consecutive years (2012 and 2013). Up to three subpopulations per species, which were located on separate grasslands at least 50 m apart were monitored on each elevational band (1024 subpopulations in total). We monitored phenology on the population scale, as repeated measurements of the same, marked individuals of herbaceous plants in meadows are not feasible. Subpopulations were formed by at least 20 individuals; monitored population sizes as well as the area covered by the populations differed between species. At each census the percentage of each subpopulation showing leaf senescence displayed either as dead leaves or visual colouring was recorded. We selected two different levels of leaf senescence: the beginning of leaf senescence defined as the day when 5% of the leaves within a subpopulation showed visually observable leaf senescence (LS_5), and the day, where 50% of the leaves within a subpopulation showed visually observable leaf senescence (LS_50). For both, the day of the year is given. Equally, we here report day of first flowering (FFD), day of last flowering (LFD) and flowering duration (FD) observed on the same populations.
Usage notes
Not all subpopulations or species reached LS_50 during the time of observation, so they were only included in the LS_5 analysis. Additionally, not all species could be observed in both years and both elevational gradients.
Funding
Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Award: RO3842/3-1
DFG-Research Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Award: FZT 118