phenology

American  

[fi-nol-uh-jee] / fɪˈnɒl ə dʒi /

noun

1. the science dealing with the influence of climate on the recurrence of such annual phenomena of animal and plant life as budding and bird migrations.

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phenology British  

/ fɪˈnɒlədʒɪ, ˌfiːnəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

noun

1. the study of recurring phenomena, such as animal migration, esp as influenced by climatic conditions

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phenology Scientific  

/ fĭ-nŏl′ə-jē /

1. The scientific study of cyclical biological events, such as flowering, breeding, and migration, in relation to climatic conditions. Phenological records of the dates on which seasonal phenomena occur provide important information on how climate change affects ecosystems over time.

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Other Word Forms

• phenological adjective
• phenologically adverb
• phenologist noun

Etymology

Origin of phenology

First recorded in 1880–85; contracted variant of phenomenology, with restriction to climatic phenomena

Explanation

Phenology is the science of seasonal cycles and the way they're affected by climate and habitat. Observing the movement of migrating birds, or noting when the leaves start changing color in the fall, is all part of phenology. You dabble in phenology yourself if you notice changes to the natural world in spring: plants with early blossoms, the first bees of the season, unfamiliar birds on your birdfeeder. Phenology is sometimes called "nature's calendar," but because it's sensitive to alterations in the climate, it's constantly changing. Global warming means that spring is earlier, winter is shorter — and phenology keeps an eye on how different plants and animals respond. The Greek root of phenology means "bring to light."

Example Sentences

The timing of seasonal activity in plants and animals is known as phenology and is collected by a network of volunteers coordinated by the Nature's Calendar citizen science project.

From BBC • Jul. 13, 2025

"Given the key role of air temperatures in driving ice formation and break-up, it is noteworthy that we did not find evidence for corresponding shifts in ice phenology."

From Science Daily • Apr. 16, 2024

"Understanding the links between phenology and demographic processes is critical to predicting the future response of species to ongoing climatic change," the study authors write.

From Salon • Jul. 6, 2023

The study of the way species time their behavior with Earth’s cycles is called phenology.

From Scientific American • Mar. 22, 2023

Other places are also experiencing early springlike flourish, according to the phenology network.

From Washington Post • Feb. 1, 2023