The Effects of Drought on Vegetation Phenology and Wildlife

Plants and animals undergo certain life cycle events every year, such as breeding or flowering. Known as phenology, these events are very sensitive to changes in climate. Changes in plant phenology can have cascading effects that impact the herbivore species that depend on the affected plants for food, such as elk, moose, and deer. Therefore, characterizing long term vegetation cycles can provide critical insight into how the behavior and health of a number of species may be altered due to climate change.
 
This project sought to identify how drought conditions influence vegetation phenology, in order to better understand the potential effects on herbivores. Specifically, researchers examined (1) if drought causes spring green-up to occur earlier in the year; (2) if drought causes a shorter spring green-up period, thus reducing the window during which high-quality vegetation is available for herbivores; and (3) how the spatial patterns of plant productivity vary during drought years.
 
Identifying the effects of drought on vegetation isexpected to help wildlife managers better understand and predict changes in the behavior and health of herbivores during periods of drought. This information is particularly important for wildlife managers in regions that are expected to experience increases in the frequency and severity of droughts due to climate change, such as the Southwest and North Central U.S—regions that are home to a number of large herbivore species.