Species that require long-day conditions to flower are not advancing their flowering phenology as fast as species without photoperiod requirements

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims Over the last few decades, many plant species have shown changes in phenology, such as the date on which they germinate, bud or flower. However, some species are changing more slowly than others, potentially owing to daylength (photoperiod) requirements. Methods We combined data on flowering-time advancement with published records of photoperiod sensitivity to try to predict which species are advancing their flowering time. Data availability limited us to the Northern Hemisphere. Key Results Cross-species analyses showed that short-day plants advanced their flowering time by 1.4 days per decade and day-neutral plants by 0.9 days per decade, but long-day plants delayed their flowering by 0.2 days per decade. However, photoperiod-sensitivity status exhibited moderate phylogenetic conservation, and the differences in flowering-time advancement were not significant after phylogeny was accounted for. Both annual and perennial herbs were more likely to have long-day photoperiod cues than woody species, which were more likely to have short-day photoperiod cues. Conclusions Short-day plants are keeping up with plants that do not have photoperiod requirements, suggesting that daylength requirements do not hinder changes in phenology. However, long-day plants are not changing their phenology and might risk falling behind as competitors and pollinators adapt to climate change.