Макарова, О. А. Фенологический атлас растений / Н. В. Поликарпова, О. А. Макарова ; М-во природ. ресурсов и экологии Рос. Федерации, Федер. гос. бюджет. учреждение «Гос. природ. заповедник «Пасвик» ; [худож.: Хохлов В. А. ; пер.: Кислова О. С.]. - Рязань : Голос губернии, 2016.

172 A phenological atlas of plants PREFACE The nature is very variable in the temperate and northern latitudes zones. In the course of change between the four seasons, a kaleido scope of events takes place around us: snow falls down and goes away, plants blooms, birds arrive and leave, etc. It makes all of us phenologists because we notice these changes in the environment, purposefully or otherwise. Most of us rely on our memory and evaluate the observed events retrospectively, comparing the previous years in the categories: this or that phenomenon happened “earlier” or “later”, or this or that summer or winter was warmer or colder. Far fewer people keep their observation notes to diary the dates of phenological phases and features of their occurrence. As a result, mul ti-year calendars are made which give us a better basis for assessment of the nature of seasonal development of the nature in one’s garden or near one’s home, in different years. But if we are willing to study mul- ti-year changes in the nature of larger areas or regions, data from several locations should be used. And this is where problems emerge. Amateur observations are subjective: some people register the beginning of the phenological phase on certain criteria, while others use different criteria. Which species and phases to observe is also a problem: it is impossible to monitor everything at once. It means that selection should be made and everybody should monitor the same things. Then we w ill obtain good quality scientific material for analysis, on which basis well-grounded conclusions can be made and nature’s calendars can be compiled. The Atlas you are holding in your hands has answers practically to all of these questions. It analyzes the Russian many-year experience of phy- to-phenological observations, including those within the voluntary pheno logical network of the Russian Geographic Society, and proposes a clear methodological basis taking into consideration both national and interna tional experience. And, very importantly, all phenological phases of plants suggested for monitoring are supported by clear photographic images which allow to identify them easily even for those who are not specialists. We live in a huge country with various natural zones and landscapes; obviously, a common monitoring programme is impossible to organize.