Together with teams from the universities of Jena, Halle and Leipzig and citizens of these four cities, the influence of climate change on the seasonal development phases (phenology) of plants was researched. It was investigated when they sprout, when the leaves unfold, when they flower, when the fruits ripen and when they drop their leaves. It was tested whether plants in the warm city center actually flower earlier than those on the outskirts and whether such differences are the same for all species and life stages. The results should help to make urban greening more climate-resilient, sustainable and liveable in the future.
Unlike the phenological observation networks of the weather services, for example, the project did not focus primarily on woody plants, but on herbaceous species, about whose phenology far less is known, although they dominate in many habitats. Accordingly, mainly native wild plants were selected for monitoring, which are at the same time insect-friendly, decorative and relatively undemanding and are therefore ideally suited to be integrated into alternative planting concepts in urban grassland.
Based on core issues relating to the phenology of plants, the project was a suitable vehicle for placing hugely important topics such as biodiversity, the biodiversity crisis, climate change and diversity as well as "green" education at the heart of society. Discussions were held with the citizens of the participating cities and solutions were sought in a variety of discussion forums.