Advancing to full bloom: planning phenological research for the 21st century

Phenology has emerged recently as an important focus for ecological researc h, primarily because of its considerable promise to address important quest ions in global modeling, monitoring, and climate change. Remote sensing tec hnological developments have also contributed to phenology's resurgence, by generating extensive biosphere-related databases that require careful cali bration and interpretation. This article reviews the major objectives, acco mplishments, and challenges of contemporary phenological research, concentr ating on papers presented in this thematic issue of the International Journ al of Biometeorology and other recent venues relevant to global change. Str ategies for the continued advancement toward global change-related goals ar e also presented. The crucial catalyst to this potential contribution will be the systematic development of observation networks on a national and glo bal scale during the next decade and beyond.