Kinmen National Park Headquarters (the Headquarters), under the National Park Service, Ministry of the Interior, will hold the “Kinmen Plant Phenology Survey Promotion Activity” from 9:00 a.m. to noon on May 30, 2026 (Saturday). Through classroom instruction and hands-on fieldwork, the activity will introduce participants to plant phenology survey methods and provide them with firsthand experience in conducting ecological observations in the field. The activity is open to the public. Online registration is required, and places are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Anyone interested in nature and ecology is welcome to register.

Plant phenology refers to seasonal changes in plant growth and development throughout the year, such as budding, flowering, and fruiting. It is an important indicator for monitoring climate change and assessing ecosystem health. Using selected indicator plants as examples, the activity will explain the relationship between changes in plant phenology and climatic factors such as temperature and humidity. Through systematic instruction, participants will gain an understanding of the basic concepts of plant phenology surveys, as well as their ecological significance and applications.

Participants are asked to check in at the Zhongshan Forest Visitor Center from 8:30 a.m. on the day of the event. The activity will begin with a lecture by Associate Professor Lu Chang-tse of the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at National Chiayi University. The lecture will cover the basic concepts of plant phenology, the characteristics of phenological cycles among different plant growth forms, and the effects of environmental factors on phenological events. Participants will then work in groups in designated areas of Zhongshan Forest to observe flowering plants. Each group will select 10 plants of the same species, record their phenological status by month, and create a phenology bubble chart. Based on their observations, plant growth forms, and monthly average temperature trends, participants will estimate annual phenological patterns and present their findings during a final sharing session.

The Headquarters stated that the activity will not only enhance public understanding of plant phenology surveys and their ecological significance but also deepen participants’ understanding of changes in phenological cycles while strengthening their observation and interpretation skills. By combining theoretical instruction with hands-on practice, the activity aims to promote citizen science and environmental education, raise public awareness of ecological conservation, and encourage participants to contribute to the development of essential baseline ecological data for the Kinmen region.