Phenological studies in Australia: Potential application in historical and future climate analysis

Abstract

Phenological observations of eucalypts (Myrtaceae) were undertaken in four Australian states (New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia) from the late 1920s until the early 1980s, by the respective State Forest Commissions. Unfortunately, few records have survived. For Victoria, surviving records encompass 42 forest districts, covering from less than 2 years to 42 years, and approximately 50 species. This paper concentrates on the flowering of four competing species (Eucalyptus leucoxylon, E. microcarpa, E. polyanthemos, and E. tricarpa) over 23 years (1940-62) from Maryborough, Victoria, recorded on a monthly basis by one observer over the period. This study represents on..