The Marimurtra Botanical Garden takes another step in its commitment to science and conservation by joining the FenoCat network. This initiative, led by the Meteorological Service of Catalonia and participating in the European project PEP725, promotes the collection and exchange of phenological data on an international scale. You can find more information about the network on its website: FenoCat.
Phenology is the discipline that studies the seasonal phases of plants and animals, such as flowering, leaf fall, or fruit ripening, and how these are influenced by climatic conditions. This monitoring is essential to understanding how climate changes are affecting ecosystems, as many species are experiencing unusual shifts, such as early or delayed flowering.
At Marimurtra, three species will be monitored: the grapevine (Vitis vinifera), the olive tree (Olea europaea), and the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo). These species have been selected for their ecological relevance and their role in traditional Mediterranean agriculture.
To facilitate identification and introduce visitors to the network, informational signs will be placed in front of each plant. The collected data will be shared with FenoCat and analyzed alongside meteorological data to study the effects of climate on these species.
These observations are crucial for contributing to international research on biodiversity and climate. It is a unique opportunity to see how science and nature come together to protect our environment and better understand today’s environmental challenges.
Marimurtra thus reaffirms its commitment to scientific research and environmental awareness. Come and discover this project and be part of this dialogue between nature and science!
