Natural History Wanderings

Thoreau’s  journals of flowers bloom periods are helping scientists studying climate change.  Thoreau kept detailed notes of bloom schedules in Concord Mass in the 1850’s that scientists are comparing with what they see today.  They have found that today are plants are blooming an average of 10 days earlier .

Thoreau’s record of when trees begin to leaf out will also be helpful in researching changes in the growth patterns of trees. One obstacle in using Thoreau’s work was figuring out which plants he was referring to as plant names and taxonomy have changed considerably since he recorded his findings. A second obstacle was deciphering his bad handwriting. (Something I relate to as having often been in trouble because of my own bad handwriting.) Read more at  Scientists use Thoreau’s journal notes to track climate change | Books | guardian.co.uk.