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The USA National Phenology Network (USA-NPN) exists to facilitate collection and dissemination of phenological data to support global change research. This network is led by the USA-NPN Executive Committee (pdf 11k). USA-NPN has recieved financial support from the National Science Foundation, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, U.S. Envionmental Protection Agency, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration. USA-NPN gives guidance to help professional and citizen scientists select and observe appropriate species at their location, and then encourages them to register and submit the data they collect each year over the Internet. These pages are specifically designed to support two USA-NPN efforts aimed at collecting plant phenology data: Phenology, which is derived from the Greek word phaino meaning to show or appear, is the study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events that are influenced by environmental changes, especially seasonal variations in temperature and precipitation driven by weather and climate. Wide ranges of phenomena are included, from first openings of leaf and flower buds, to insect hatchings and return of birds. Each one gives a ready measure of the environment as viewed by the associated organism. Thus, timings of phenological events are ideal indicators of the impact of local and global changes in weather and climate on the Earth's biosphere. Seasonality is a related term, referring to similar non-biological events, such as the timing of the fall formation and spring break-up of ice on fresh water lakes.
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