what hour we arise, and the quantity of rock salt we procure since the beginning of time. Yet the only constant is transformation, and according to scientific findings, Earth’s seasons aren’t perpetually aligned. With what, precisely? Other regions of Earth.
In a recent research effort published in Nature, researchers utilized visual data sourced from global phenology maps to identify hotspots of seasonal asynchronicity worldwide. Phenology encompasses the examination of how biological rhythms interact with the seasons, and while certain areas of the globe adhere to the typical seasonal patterns, there are just as many geographical locations that exhibit irregularities, particularly regarding biodiversity.
Insights derived from Earth’s five Mediterranean climate zones — which include sections of California, Chile, South Africa, southern Australia, and the Mediterranean itself — uncovered a nexus of asynchronicity that certainly merits further investigation.
One pattern revealed by this in-depth exploration of phenology is that asynchronous hotspots tend to congregate. In the case of the previously mentioned Mediterranean regions, “double peak” seasonal patterns are not unusual, where forest growth commonly peaks two months later than surrounding ecosystems. This is especially pronounced when comparing these areas to adjacent drylands, which receive a considerable amount of summer rainfall.
The satellite observations unveiled comparable hotspots in tropical mountain areas. Scientists have theorized that these asynchronous regions result from the distinctive impact these tropical mountains exert on local airflow. Airflow patterns influence precipitation and cloud cover, which directly affect the timing of plant growth. Elevation is also a factor: Regions that capture more sunlight, such as valleys, may end up generating warmer temperatures and additional precipitation, as opposed to a nearby mountainous area that remains continually shrouded by clouds.
It’s no accident that these mosaics of microclimates host some of Earth’s densest biodiversity zones. Wildlife is attracted to plants, resulting in other wildlife becoming increasingly predatory on that primary batch of
