Annual rhythms that underlie phenology: Biological time-keeping meets environmental change

Barbara Helm, Rachel Ben-Shlomo, Michael J. Sheriff, Roelof A. Hut, Russell Foster, Brian M. Barnes, Davide Dominoni

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Seasonal recurrence of biological processes (phenology) and its relationship to environmental change is recognized as being of key scientific and public concern, but its current study largely overlooks the extent to which phenology is based on biological time-keeping mechanisms. We highlight the relevance of physiological and neurobiological regulation for organisms' responsiveness to environmental conditions. Focusing on avian and mammalian examples, we describe circannual rhythmicity of reproduction, migration and hibernation, and address responses of animals to photic and thermal conditions. Climate change and urbanization are used as urgent examples of anthropogenic influences that put biological timing systems under pressure.We furthermore propose that consideration of Homo sapiens as principally a 'seasonal animal' can inspire new perspectives for understanding medical and psychological problems.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number20130016
    JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
    Volume280
    Issue number1765
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Aug 2013

    Keywords

    • Circannual
    • Global change
    • Hibernation
    • Migration
    • Photoperiod
    • Urbanization

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
    • General Immunology and Microbiology
    • General Environmental Science
    • General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Annual rhythms that underlie phenology: Biological time-keeping meets environmental change'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this