Time‐lapse cameras bridge the gap between remote sensing and in situ observations of tundra phenology

Fälthammar de Jong, Geerte; Gallois, Elise; Boyle, Joseph S.; Grenier, Maude; Myers‐Smith, Isla H.; Bjorkman, Anne

Time‐lapse cameras bridge the gap between remote sensing and in situ observations of tundra phenology

Fälthammar de Jong, Geerte ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3774-1059; Gallois, Elise ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9402-1931; Boyle, Joseph S.; Grenier, Maude; Myers‐Smith, Isla H.; Bjorkman, Anne ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2174-7800. 2025 Time‐lapse cameras bridge the gap between remote sensing and in situ observations of tundra phenology. Methods in Ecology and Evolution. 12, pp. 10.1111/2041-210X.70188

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.70188

Abstract/Summary

•1. As the Arctic experiences continued warming, significant ecosystem changes, such as the northwards migration of woody species, are underway in tundra landscapes throughout the region. Despite these observable shifts, there remains a gap in our understanding of how climate warming impacts the phenology of tundra plants—specifically, the timing of their growth and reproductive cycles—especially across heterogeneous landscapes. •2. Measuring phenology in the Arctic is challenging, requiring observations throughout the growing season and especially early and late in the season—times when field researchers are typically absent from their study sites. While remote observations offer broad coverage across the biome, they lack the detail needed for accurate phenological interpretations and may introduce significant errors. To address this, time‐lapse cameras (phenocams) present a promising solution, enabling simultaneous, individual‐level observations across disparate sites. •3. In this study, we assess and present the precision, accuracy and practicality of monitoring reproductive phenology using repeat photography in tundra ecosystems by comparing satellite imagery, in situ observations and phenocams deployed on Qikiqtaruk—Herschel Island, Yukon Territory, Canada. •4. Our results show that time‐lapse photography is a powerful tool to detect species‐specific phenology of Arctic vegetation, with an accuracy that is similar to in situ observations conducted by park rangers across the growing season, and at a much higher spatial and temporal detail than satellite data. Especially in the remote Arctic the low cost and ease of deployment across disparate sites throughout the whole year make phenocams an important tool for observing vegetation dynamics in a changing Arctic.

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1111/2041-210X.70188

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Environmental Pressures and Responses (2025-)
Land-Atmosphere Interactions (2025-)

ISSN:

2041-210X

Additional Information:

Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.

Additional Keywords:

Arctic, flowering, growing season length, phenology, remote sensing, senescence, time-lapse cameras (phenocams), tundra vegetation