Climate change, phenology, and phenological control of vegetation feedbacks to the climate system

► The sensitivity of vegetation phenology to climate change varies among biomes. ► Key weaknesses in our current understanding of phenology drivers are identified. ► Phenology controls many feedbacks of vegetation to the climate system. ► The size and seasonality of these feedbacks will shift as phenology shifts. ► Models that couple the land surface to the climate system need better phenology.