Tropical tree reproductive phenology is sensitive to changing climate, but inter-individual and interannual variability at the regional scale is poorly understood. While large-scale and long-term datasets of environmental variables are available, reproductive phenology….

Plant phenology is the study of timing and extent of leaf, flower, and fruit production. Phenology data are used to study drivers of cyclicity and seasonality of plant life-history stages, interactions with organisms such as pollinators, and effects of global change factors….

Tropical tree reproductive phenology is sensitive to changing climate, but inter-individual and interannual variability at the regional scale is poorly understood….

Citizen science has been in practice since the 1800s and is an important source of data for scientists and other applied users. It plays a vital role in democratizing science, providing equitable access to scientific…

Large-scale and long-term understanding of the phenology of widespread tree species is lacking in the tropics, and particularly in the Indian subcontinent…

The neem tree growing outside my house is a shape-shifter. Every year, without fail, in the cool dry winter its leaves become tired and yellow-brown, and sometimes fall off completely.

How many of these trees can you spot in and around your school campus, home, or neighbourhood? Do you know their local names? Have you noticed when they flower or fruit? What animals visit them and why? What do we(humans) use them for?

Increasingly, citizens are becoming aware of nature and biodiversity and the services obtained from them. With an army of such ‘citizen scientists’, SeasonWatch started a systematic monitoring of trees on how changes in the timing and appearance of flowers,fruits and leaves can help us understand the changes taking place in our enviroment.

Trees live close to us in our backyards,gardens, fields, and road-sides. Their lives are intimately connected to he environment they grow in, an environment we know is changing.How are trees coping with the changing climate and weather patterns?

Public participation in scientific Research( also called citizen science)offer opportunities for developing science- based knowledge within our communities.

A handbook brought out by SeasonWatch, an India-wide citizen science project associated with the Nature Conservation Foundation, uses a series of interactive activities to help children understand weather, biodiversity, water, food and soil 

“I didn’t know much about climate change and how it impacted our environment until I started observing trees this year,” says Prapti Alva, one of the many students who have turned citizen scientists for SeasonWatch’s November Tree Festival this year. 

Trees are the pulse of changing seasons. Whether it’s the summer fruits mango or winter flowers Red Silk Cotton or pre-monsoon blush of new leaves, the passing seasons are recorded in faithful detail by the life cycles of trees. 

There are novel ways for you to contribute to the planet all year round. Sign up for exciting citizen science projects that include tracking crocodiles, differentiating between species of dragonflies and observing seasonal changes in trees.

There is an amaltas tree near my house. Come summer, and its golden glory lights up the neighbourhood.

People-led documentation initiatives focussing on the environment have been going strong through the COVID-19 lockdowns. Here’s why this is good news

How perceptive are we of the changing natural world around us? The obvious changes, like the change in seasons or temperatures, certainly grab our attention.But apart from these, our world is continuously expressing itself through smaller, seemingly invisible acts. For example, we may notice that the trees on our route to work have flowered.

Citizen Science in ecology in India-an intial mapping and analysis.

A school teacher in Meghalaya spent the last four days of his holidays travelling around 30 villages looking at trees. Resly Roy Pariong was scanning trees in backyards, gardens and any tree along the road that caught his inquisitive eye. It took approximately three minutes to observe each tree and make a note of the location, fruits, flowers and leaves, said the science teacher.

Have you wondered how seasonal changes in the natural world may be changing with climate? SeasonWatch has been working with children and adults across India since 2011 to understand patterns of tree phenology (seasonal changes in leafing, flowering and fruiting).

Up in the West Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya lives 10-year-old Rudolf Nonglait. Once every week, he stops at a particular Himalayan cherry tree on his way home. He observes the tree for about 5-10 minutes before moving along.

Blitzes are swift, vigorous attacks and usually part of military parlance. But there was nothing military about citizens as they looked up at trees across India on December 1 and 2: they were on a bioblitz, recording the flowering and fruiting of common trees.

The practice of science is largely seen as the privilege of a few scientists working within the limitations of a research institute or university. But not any more! Thanks to Citizen Science initiatives even non-scientists may experience a taste of scientific research today. Citizen Science is when people make their own voluntary contributions to the progress of science from home.