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Phenological observations

The Swiss Phenology Network consists of around 160 stations. Some 26 different plant species are observed in order to describe the vegetation development.

On the basis of this information, it is possible to investigate the impact of climate change on the vegetation. The observations also serve to generate forecasting models for the start of flowering.

Data download

The Open Data from MeteoSwiss may be used without restriction; the source must be cited when reproducing or redistributing ("Source: MeteoSwiss").

By using 'Open Data' from MeteoSchweiz, you confirm that you have taken note of the Terms of use.

Download data automatically

Download files per station automatically via FSDI's REST API: https://data.geo.admin.ch/api/stac/v1/collections/ch.meteoschweiz.ogd-phenology

Read our information on how you can obtain data automatically.

The STAC Browser can be a useful tool to facilitate the use of the API: https://data.geo.admin.ch/browser/index.html#/collections/ch.meteoschweiz.ogd-phenology

Download data manually

Select and download files per station manually via MeteoSwiss' Open Data Explorer.

Data structure

The data is split by measuring station. A file for a station contains all available parameters in one file. There are files with yearly y values.

See e.g. files for station Nyon / Changins (CHI): ogd-phenology_chi_(data granularity)_(update frequency).csv

The files include [to be verified]:

Variable nameDescriptionDatatypeNote
param_idParameter identificationNumbersee Parameter metadata
nat_abbrStation abbreviationTextsee Station metadata
reference_yearReference yearYYYY
valueDate of observationYYYYMMDD
doyDay of yearNumbernegative values: Observation in the year preceding the reference year; values greater than 365: Observation in the year following the reference year.

Data format

CSV with an estimated volume of ≤7.1 MB per file.

Metadata

All parameters have a unique identifier .

ogd-phenology_meta_parameters.csv provides a list of all parameter identifiers with explanation, time interval, decimal places, data type and unit of measurement [to be verified].

Variable nameDescriptionDatatypeExample valueNote
param_idParameter identificationNumber601
param_shortnameParameter shortnameIntegermaesh13d
scientific namePlant's scientific name + phenophase* in EnglishStringAesculus hippocastanum - leaf unfolding (50%)*phenophase: An observable stage or phase in the annual life cycle of a plant that can be defined by a start and end point.
desc_englishPlant's common name + phenophase* in EnglishStringHorse chestnut - leaf unfolding (50%)
desc_deutschPlant's common name + phenophase* in GermanStringRosskastanie - Blattentfaltung (50%)
desc_italianoPlant's common name + phenophase* in ItalianStringIppocastano - spiegamento delle foglie (50%)
desc_françaisPlant's common name + phenophase* in ItalianStringMarronnier - déploiement des feuilles (50%)

Data usage

See e.g. MeteoSwiss' PHENOLOGY network map.

[to be verified] Phenological observations


https://data.geo.admin.ch/ch.meteoschweiz.klima/phaenologie/phaeno_previous.csv Data from previous years (verified data) https://data.geo.admin.ch/ch.meteoschweiz.klima/phaenologie/phaeno_current.csv Data from current year https://data.geo.admin.ch/ch.meteoschweiz.klima/phaenologie/Legende_Parameter.csv Parameter list https://data.geo.admin.ch/ch.meteoschweiz.messnetz-phaenologie/ch.meteoschweiz.messnetz-phaenologie_en.csv Station list

Data file structure param_id;nat_abbr;reference_year;value;doy

param_id Parameter identification: see parameter list
nat_abbr Station abbreviation: see station list reference_year Reference year value Date of observation, format yyyymmdd doy Day of year Negative values: observation in the year preceding the reference year Values greater than 365: observation in the year following the reference year

Delivery times phaeno_previous.csv Delivery once a year after checking the data (beginning of February) phaeno_current.csv Delivery daily at 3:15 UTC