Common snowdrop as a climate change bioindicator in Czechia

Abstract

The phenological response to climate change differs among species. We examined the beginning of flowering of the common snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) in connection with meteorological variables in Czechia in the period 1923–2021. The long-term series were analyzed from phenological and meteorological stations of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI). Temporal and spatial evaluation (using Geographic Information System) in timing of beginning of flowering (BBCH 61) of G. nivalis was investigated under urban and rural settings. Furthermore, the detailed analysis of selected meteorological variables to onset of G. nivalis flowering was performed. Moreover, the trends (using Mann–Kendall test) and Pearson’s correlation coefficients between phenological phase and meteorological variable were calculated. The main finding of this study was that the trend of the beginning of flowering of the common snowdrop during the studied period (1923–2021) is negative, and it varies in urban and rural environments. The results showed most significant acceleration of the beginning of flowering of G. nivalis by − 0.20 day year⁻¹ in urban area and by − 0.11 day year⁻¹ in rural area. Above that, a major turning point occurred between 1987 and 1988 (both, in phenological observations and meteorological variables), and the variability of the beginning of flowering is significantly higher in the second period 1988–2021. On top of, the study proved that the beginning of flowering of G. nivalis closely correlated with number of days with snow cover above 1 cm (December–March) at both types of stations (urban and rural), and with mean air temperature in February, maximum air temperature in January, and minimum air temperature in March. The Mann–Kendall test showed a reduction in the number of days with snow cover above 1 cm (December–March) during 99 years period at Klatovy station (a long-term time series) by − 0.06 day year⁻¹, i.e., by − 5.94 days per the whole period. Conversely, air temperatures increase (maximum and minimum air temperature by 0.03 °C year⁻¹ (2.97 °C per the whole period) and average air temperature by 0.02 °C year⁻¹ (1.98 °C per the whole period)). Thus, our results indicate significant changes in the beginning of flowering of G. nivalis in Czechia as a consequence of climate change.