Heat island phenomenon is commonly experienced not only in major, large urban areas (e.g. New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, among others) but also in relatively small to medium size city like Morgantown, West Virginia. Urban development is associated with high concentrations of buildings, roads and other artificial surfaces, high human population and poor air quality. Elevated temperature in urban areas promotes advanced spring growth and prolonged growing season. If global warming continues, prolonged growing season in temperate region can alter plant growth traits and plant demand for water, nutrients and other resources.

Temperature is also influenced by topographic features (i.e. elevation) and population size. Temperature increases as elevation decreases. Urban areas located in similar elevation with high population size (Charleston and Huntington) had warm spring temperature and poor air quality. Warmer temperature in urban areas of Tokyo, Japan contributed to earlier budburst date compared to those trees in the rural sites. Budburst date of yellow poplar was influenced by elevation with trees in lower elevation sites (Clay and Harrisville) had earlier budburst date than the higher elevation site (Elkins). The difference in budburst date may also be due to the influence of elevation on temperature as earlier discussed.

West Virginia’s forest resources, just like other ecosystem types in the world, are highly prone to the effects of climate change. Ground observation of budburst provides a powerful technique with which to monitor and characterize the effect of climate warming on leaf timing. There is therefore a need to continuously monitor leaf phenology in the state of West Virginia so we can further analyze the trends in global climate change as it affects plant growth.