GreenUp Protocol

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Green-Up Protocol
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Inquiry Context

• How long does green-up take for a given species?
• How does green-up differ among different species
  within a forested study area?
• How does green-up relate to precipitation? To
  soil moisture?
• Does temperature influence the rate of green-up?

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Why do GLOBE scientists research green-up?

• To calculate growing season length and monitor
  interannual changes in growing season duration
• To determine how environmental conditions such as
  air and soil temperature, precipitation, soil
  moisture, and day length affect plant growth
• To monitor the nature and extent of climate
  change and its effects on plants and animals
• To help interpret satellite observations of
  greenness

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Science Content What is green-up?
Green-up is the beginning of phenological changes
that signal the start of a growing season for
most plants.
March 1987
May 1987
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Science Content Important Definitions
Dormancy is a state of suspended growth and
metabolism.
Swelling is seen when the bud is getting bigger.
Budburst is the emergence of new leaves
(photosynthetically active foliage) on plants,
which signals the beginning of a new growing
season cycle.
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Instruments Green-Up

• GPS Receiver
• Local Tree Identification Guide
• Compass
• Meter stick or tape measure (for grass study
  site)
• Ruler (in mm)
• Camera
• Flagging Tape Marker

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The Measurements

• Green-Up Study Site Definition
• GPS Measurement
• Tree and shrub species or grass genus
• Study Site pictures
• Green-Up Protocol
• For tree or shrub date, bud condition or leaf
  length on four buds of the same branch
• For grass date, blade length on first four
  shoots to emerge

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Collecting Data Field/Lab Guides Data Sheets

• Field/Lab Guides
• Tree and Shrub Green-Up and Green-Down Site
  Selection Field Guide or Grass Green-Up and
  Green-Down Site Selection Field Guide
• GPS Protocol Field Guide
• Tree and Shrub Green-Up Protocol Field Guide or
  Grass Green-Up Protocol Field Guide
• Data Sheets
• Green-Up and Green-Down Site Definition Sheet
• GPS Investigation Data Sheet
• Tree and Shrub Green-Up Data Sheet or Grass
  Green-Up Data Sheet

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Collecting Data Green-Up and Green-Down Study
Site

• Site Selection
• At least 2 weeks before budburst
• Convenient location
• Native trees/shrubs or grasses that are not
  watered or fertilized are preferred

• Tree and Shrub or Grass Selection
• Identify dominant tree and shrub species or grass
  genus
• For Tree or Shrub
• Select one or more dominant, native, deciduous
  trees/shrubs
• Select and flag a healthy, good-sized branch on
  the equator-facing side
• For Grass
• Select a one-meter square area dominated by grass
  plants

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Collecting Data Protocol

• First Time
• Locate and mark green grass shoot or bud at end
  of selected branch
• Locate and mark three other closest buds or
  shoots
• Photograph your site
• Every Visit
• For Tree or Shrub
• Examine each bud and determine if it is
  Dormant, Swelling, Budburst, Length or Lost
• Continue measuring until leaf stops increasing in
  length
• For Grass
• Examine each shoot and determine if it is No
  Shoot, Length or Lost
• Continue measuring until leaf stops increasing in
  length

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Enter Data on the GLOBE Web SiteGreen-Up and
Green-Down Study Site Definition
Step 1 Select Define a Green-Up/Green-Down
Study Site from the Phenology data entry
menu Step 2 Enter the Study Site
information Step 3 Click Send Data button Step
4 Confirm data entries on verification page
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Enter Data on the GLOBE Web SiteGreen-Up Protocol
Step 1 Confirm that a Green-Up Study Site has
been defined Step 2 Select Green-Up from the
Phenology data entry menu Step 3 Select your
Study Site, enter the date and growing season
cycle Step 4 Enter data for the leaves/buds from
each line of the data sheet, one at a time Step
5 Confirm data entries on verification page
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Looking at the Data
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Classroom Implementation

• Inquiry
• Curriculum/Standards Alignment
• Assessment
• Classroom Management

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Getting Started

• The GLOBE Web site has information
• http//www.globe.gov
• GLOBE Help Desk or your Country Coordinator can
  support you as you get started.
• Get your students involved doing real science!