Integrating seasonal daylight and temperature dynamics into phenological models to improve autumn phenology predictions

The project will combine manipulative experiments, long-term phenological observations, carbon flux measurements, and satellite-derived monitoring datasets in order to better understand the main drivers of leaf senescence. The proposal is structured into three interconnected work packages (WPs) that build upon each other to collectively address the research objectives. The first two work packages focus on investigating the mechanisms underlying the seasonal and interactive effects of daylight and temperature on phenology and carbon assimilation. WP1 involves a climate-controlled experiment designed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the seasonal effects of daylight and temperature on phenology and tree growth. The insights gained from this experiment provide the foundational mechanistic understanding necessary for the large-scale analysis in WP2. WP3 will build upon the findings from WP1 and WP2 to develop a comprehensive autumn phenology model and project its future shifts.