Early Spring Arrival Impacts Agriculture and Ecosystems in the U.S.
• Spring is arriving 3-5 weeks earlier in the central U.S., impacting agriculture and ecosystems.
• Ecological mismatches, like mistimed bird migrations, are increasing due to the early spring.
• Crops such as corn and soybeans are at greater risk from late frosts following early leaf-out events.
Premature spring arrival poses threats to ecosystems
According to a Climate Central report, spring is arriving prematurely across much of the United States, posing substantial threats to both agriculture and ecosystems. The USA National Phenology Network's data reveals that spring is occurring three to five weeks earlier in the central U.S. compared to the 1991-2020 average, and two to three weeks earlier in the southern Midwest. This acceleration is causing significant disruptions in natural and agricultural systems.
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