Herbarium specimens demonstrate earlier flowering times in response to warming in Boston

摘要: Museum specimens collected in the past may be a valuable source of information on response species to climate change. This idea was tested by comparing flowering times during year 2003 229 living plants growing at Arnold Arboretum Boston, Massachusetts, USA, with 372 records from 1885 2002 using herbarium same individual plants. During this period, Boston experienced 1.5°C increase mean annual temperature. Flowering became progressively earlier; flowered 8 d earlier 1980 than they did 1900 1920. Most shift toward is explained influence temperature, especially temperatures months February, March, April, and May, time. Plants long duration appear as useful for detecting responses changing short duration. Additional studies detect change could examine specific, intensively localities, such mountain peaks, islands, unique habitats.