Bridging data silos to holistically model plant macrophenology.

TitleBridging data silos to holistically model plant macrophenology.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2025
AuthorsAmador, Lizbeth G., Tadeo H. Ramirez-Parada, Isaac W. Park, Susan J. Mazer, Aaron M. Ellison, Margaret O'Brien, Eric R. Sokol, Colin A. Smith, Charles C. Davis, and Sydne Record
JournalNew Phytol
Date Published2025 Jun 06
ISSN1469-8137
Abstract

Phenological response to global climate change can impact ecosystem functions. There are various data sources from which spatiotemporal and taxonomic phenological data may be obtained: mobilized herbaria, community science initiatives, observatory networks, and remote sensing. However, analyses conducted to date have generally relied on single sources of these data. Siloed treatment of data in analyses may be due to the lack of harmonization across different data sources that offer partially nonoverlapping information and are often complementary. Such treatment precludes a deeper understanding of phenological responses at varying macroecological scales. Here, we describe a detailed vision for the harmonization of phenological data, including the direct integration of disparate sources of phenological data using a common schema. Specifically, we highlight existing methods for data harmonization that can be applied to phenological data: data design patterns, metadata standards, and ontologies. We describe how harmonized data from multiple sources can be integrated into analyses using existing methods and discuss the use of automated extraction techniques. Data harmonization is not a new concept in ecology, but the harmonization of phenological data is overdue. We aim to highlight the need for better data harmonization, providing a roadmap for how harmonized phenological data may fill gaps while simultaneously being integrated into analyses.

DOI10.1111/nph.70249
Alternate JournalNew Phytol
PubMed ID40474615
Grant List1556768 / / Division of Environmental Biology /
2105903 / / Division of Environmental Biology /
2105907 / / Division of Environmental Biology /
2105932 / / Division of Environmental Biology /
22425 / / Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station /
2223103 / / Division of Biological Infrastructure /
2223104 / / Division of Biological Infrastructure /