ABSTRACT
Phenology is a rather old, but not very well known branch of climatology. Phenology deals with the dates of events in the life of plants or animals. Phenological observations are an excellent tool to model topoclimatic conditions. The development of plants does not correlate only with climatic elements and conditions for there are other factors which influence phenology, such as soil, water, vegetation type, agricultural techniques, urbanization, etc. Some of the factors which influence phenology also reflect meteorological conditions. These include site parameters such as altitude, latitude, continentality, slope, exposition, topographical situation (bottom of the valley, basin, slope, terrace, pass, summit) and hydrographic situation (proximity of surface or ground water). A complete analysis should include all these factors, regardless of their significance. Phenological observations, therefore, can offer very interesting elements to a comparative climatic characterization of sites (Jeanneret, 1971; Primault, 1984). Phenology is a simple method, which needs no instruments. Hence the observations can be made nearly everywhere, thereby allowing a great spatial density. Handling of data is, however, rather complex. The advantages of phenology become particularly evident in mountain areas, where observations can be made at numerous sites and hence offer a degree of spatial differentiation which is usually not possible with climatic stations. In addition, phenology could become an important tool for assessment of potential impacts of climate changes in mountain areas (Jeanneret, 1972).
