Methods for recording the weather

Citation

Edwards A & White L (2000) Methods for recording the weather. In: White L & Edwards A (eds.) Conservation research in the African rain forests: a technical handbook. New York, NY, USA: Wildlife Conservation Society, pp. 81-88. http://bioko.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/whiteedwards2000.pdf

Abstract
First paragraph: Weather patterns strongly influence when plants produce flowers, fruits, or new leaves and help determine the quantities of fruits or flowers produced, and the number of seedlings that survive. These in turn affect the availability and distribution of food for animals, which influences when and how often animals reproduce or die and how often and where they move. On a short term scale, weather changes animals' local distribution, since they seek shelter from wind, rain or sunshine. Weather also can also influence how long animal signs last. All of these patterns, in turn, affect the way people use the forest. Therefore, weather data can enhance a researcher's ability to interpret data on species abundance, distribution, reproduction, mortality and behaviour.