Seasonal changes in vegetation key to findings

University of Southampton research suggests that the end of Autumn is taking place later in the year and Spring is starting earlier. Researchers examined satellite imagery covering the northern hemisphere over a 25 year period (1982 - 2006).

They then looked for any seasonal changes in vegetation by making a measure of its ‘greenness’. They examined in detail, at daily intervals, the growth cycle of the vegetation – identifying physical changes such as leaf cover, colour and growth.

This delay in the signs of Autumn was generally more pronounced than any evidence for an earlier onset of Spring, although there is evidence across the groups that Spring is arriving slightly earlier.