E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Watching, Watching, Photographing, and Photographing, and

Listening:Listening: Monitoring Phenology to Monitoring Phenology to

Detect the Effects of Climate Detect the Effects of Climate ChangeChangeBrian R. Mitchell, NETN Program ManagerBrian R. Mitchell, NETN Program Manager

River Monitoring and Climate Change in MassachusettsRiver Monitoring and Climate Change in Massachusetts

Leominster, MA May 18, 2011Leominster, MA May 18, 2011

National Park ServiceNational Park ServiceU.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Department of the Interior

Northeast Temperate NetworkNortheast Temperate Network

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

OutlineOutline BackgroundBackground Goals & ObjectivesGoals & Objectives TimelineTimeline CollaborationCollaboration Habitats, species, and Habitats, species, and

phenophasesphenophases MethodsMethods

ObservationObservation PhotographicPhotographic AcousticAcoustic IntegrationIntegration

ConclusionsConclusionsPhoto by Kendal BrownPhoto by Kendal BrownRed-eyed VireoRed-eyed Vireo

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

BackgroundBackground NPS Natural Resource NPS Natural Resource ChallengeChallenge

Inventory and Monitoring Inventory and Monitoring NetworksNetworks

Vital SignsVital Signs Northeast Temperate Northeast Temperate

NetworkNetwork 13 park units13 park units 24 vital signs including:24 vital signs including:

PhenologyPhenology ClimateClimate Water quantity & qualityWater quantity & quality Stream Stream

macroinvertebratesmacroinvertebrates Estuarine water qualityEstuarine water quality Wetland vegetationWetland vegetation

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

BackgroundBackground What is phenology?What is phenology?

Recurring plant and animal life cycle stages, like flowering, Recurring plant and animal life cycle stages, like flowering, leaf fall, migration, and hibernationleaf fall, migration, and hibernation

Ice-out and other physical processes are NOT phenologyIce-out and other physical processes are NOT phenology

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

BackgroundBackground Why are most people unfamiliar with phenology?Why are most people unfamiliar with phenology?

Long tradition of use for agriculture Long tradition of use for agriculture Viewed as static over most of recorded historyViewed as static over most of recorded history

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

BackgroundBackground Why does Why does

phenology matter?phenology matter? Local expression Local expression

of global changeof global change Phenological Phenological

mismatchmismatch Migration feedingMigration feeding Breeding Breeding

resourcesresources Invasion dynamics Invasion dynamics

of pest speciesof pest species Affects long-term Affects long-term

data setsdata sets

Miller-Rushing et al. 2006. American Journal of BotanyMiller-Rushing et al. 2006. American Journal of Botany

““Phenology… is Phenology… is perhaps the simplest perhaps the simplest process in which to process in which to track changes in the track changes in the ecology of species in ecology of species in response to climate response to climate change.change.””

- IPCC 2007- IPCC 2007

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

BackgroundBackground Monitoring phenologyMonitoring phenology

Helps us understand effects of climate changeHelps us understand effects of climate change Provides data needed for climate change adaptationProvides data needed for climate change adaptation Educates and involves the publicEducates and involves the public

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

GoalsGoals Determine trend in Determine trend in

phenology of key phenology of key species, to assist species, to assist resource managers resource managers with the detection with the detection and mitigation of and mitigation of the effects of the effects of climate change on climate change on natural resourcesnatural resources

Interest and Interest and educate visitors and educate visitors and volunteersvolunteers

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

ObjectivesObjectives Maintain list of key species Maintain list of key species

of science or management of science or management interest interest Foundation speciesFoundation species Invasive speciesInvasive species Vulnerable to mismatchVulnerable to mismatch Early spring phenophasesEarly spring phenophases Special interestSpecial interest

Detect change in pheno-Detect change in pheno-phase timing or abundancephase timing or abundance

Correlate phenology with Correlate phenology with climate dataclimate data

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Timeline – 2007 and 2008Timeline – 2007 and 2008 Appalachian Trail PhenologyAppalachian Trail Phenology

Initiated 2007Initiated 2007 Elevation and latitudinal transectsElevation and latitudinal transects Monitor focal taxa and habitats, Monitor focal taxa and habitats,

especially at edges of rangesespecially at edges of ranges Track trends in invasive speciesTrack trends in invasive species Compare to historical recordCompare to historical record Strong volunteer componentStrong volunteer component Draw on methods from European Draw on methods from European

phenology networks, GLOBE, and phenology networks, GLOBE, and Long-Term Ecological Research Long-Term Ecological Research programsprograms

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Timeline – 2009Timeline – 2009 Then a funny thing Then a funny thing

happened…happened… Abe Miller-Rushing and USA-Abe Miller-Rushing and USA-

NPNNPN Discussions about wildlife Discussions about wildlife

phenologyphenology Multi-method approach takes Multi-method approach takes

shapeshape Agreed to work together to Agreed to work together to

develop plant and animal develop plant and animal monitoring methodsmonitoring methods

Outreach to Appalachian Outreach to Appalachian Mountain Club and othersMountain Club and others

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Timeline – 2009Timeline – 2009 Pilot observational Pilot observational

monitoring monitoring Acadia NPAcadia NP Appalachian NSTAppalachian NST Boston Harbor Islands NRABoston Harbor Islands NRA

USGS Status and Trends USGS Status and Trends proposalproposal PhenoCam (Richardson)PhenoCam (Richardson) University of Vermont University of Vermont

(Donovan)(Donovan) Paperwork Reduction Act Paperwork Reduction Act

rabbit holerabbit hole Affects casual observersAffects casual observers

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Timeline – 2010Timeline – 2010 Additional funding arrivesAdditional funding arrives

USGS S&T fundingUSGS S&T funding NPS Northeast RegionNPS Northeast Region Extra NETN supportExtra NETN support

Field work and protocol Field work and protocol developmentdevelopment Acoustic monitoringAcoustic monitoring Observational monitoringObservational monitoring

Northeast Regional Northeast Regional Phenology Network meetingPhenology Network meeting Regional goals and objectivesRegional goals and objectives Habitat-based working Habitat-based working

groupsgroups

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Timeline – 2011 and 2012 Timeline – 2011 and 2012 Continue collaborationsContinue collaborations

USA-NPNUSA-NPN NE-RPNNE-RPN California Phenology ProjectCalifornia Phenology Project

Continue field workContinue field work Observational monitoringObservational monitoring Integration with automated Integration with automated

methodsmethods Complete monitoring protocolComplete monitoring protocol

Observational procedures Observational procedures linked to USA-NPNlinked to USA-NPN

Acoustic and photo methods Acoustic and photo methods in progressin progress

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Collaboration – NE-RPNCollaboration – NE-RPN Collaborate on long-Collaborate on long-

term phenology term phenology monitoring and monitoring and education in the education in the NortheastNortheast Understand the local Understand the local

and regional effects and regional effects of climate changeof climate change

Motivate citizens to Motivate citizens to make a positive make a positive impactimpact

Protect natural Protect natural resourcesresources

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Collaboration – NE-RPNCollaboration – NE-RPN Promote collaborationPromote collaboration

Regionally and Regionally and nationallynationally

Share methods and Share methods and resultsresults

Encourage citizen Encourage citizen sciencescience

Cooperate to train Cooperate to train observersobservers

Secure fundingSecure funding Evaluate efficacyEvaluate efficacy

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

HabitatsHabitats Core HabitatsCore Habitats

Hardwood ForestHardwood Forest Vernal PoolVernal Pool

Additional Habitats (1 – Additional Habitats (1 – 3 parks each)3 parks each) Freshwater WetlandFreshwater Wetland GrasslandGrassland Rocky CoastRocky Coast Salt MarshSalt Marsh Alpine and SubalpineAlpine and Subalpine Spruce / Fir ForestSpruce / Fir Forest

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

SpeciesSpecies Hardwood ForestHardwood Forest

Red MapleRed Maple Sugar MapleSugar Maple White Wood AsterWhite Wood Aster Garlic MustardGarlic Mustard Eastern Tent Eastern Tent

CaterpillarCaterpillar OvenbirdOvenbird

Vernal PoolVernal Pool Spotted SalamanderSpotted Salamander Spring PeeperSpring Peeper Wood FrogWood Frog Photo by Jack DermidPhoto by Jack Dermid

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

SpeciesSpecies Freshwater WetlandFreshwater Wetland

Red MapleRed Maple Purple LoosestrifePurple Loosestrife Marsh MarigoldMarsh Marigold Wood FrogWood Frog Great Blue HeronGreat Blue Heron

GrasslandGrassland Rough-stemmed Rough-stemmed

GoldenrodGoldenrod Common MilkweedCommon Milkweed Monarch ButterflyMonarch Butterfly Red-winged BlackbirdRed-winged Blackbird BobolinkBobolink

Rocky CoastRocky Coast Beach RoseBeach Rose RockweedRockweed Green CrabGreen Crab Common LoonCommon Loon Common EiderCommon Eider

Salt MarshSalt Marsh Sea LavenderSea Lavender Seaside GoldenrodSeaside Goldenrod Black RushBlack Rush Great Blue HeronGreat Blue Heron American Black DuckAmerican Black Duck

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

SpeciesSpecies LakesLakes

SpatterdockSpatterdock MayflyMayfly Common LoonCommon Loon Great Blue HeronGreat Blue Heron Tree SwallowTree Swallow

Beach/DuneBeach/Dune Beach PeaBeach Pea Beach RoseBeach Rose Horseshoe CrabHorseshoe Crab Common TernCommon Tern WilletWillet

Urban/SuburbanUrban/Suburban Common DandelionCommon Dandelion Common LilacCommon Lilac Red MapleRed Maple Spring PeeperSpring Peeper American RobinAmerican Robin

Rivers/Streams?Rivers/Streams? Macroalgae?Macroalgae? Brook Trout?Brook Trout? Dragonfly?Dragonfly? Common Merganser?Common Merganser?

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

PhenophasesPhenophases Subset from USA-NPNSubset from USA-NPN Base on questionsBase on questions Supplement with Supplement with

species-specific species-specific photographic guidesphotographic guides

Currently developing Currently developing NETN phenophase listsNETN phenophase lists Casual observersCasual observers Staff and volunteersStaff and volunteers Automated recordersAutomated recorders

1

All

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

PhenophasesPhenophases Animal phenophases Animal phenophases

vary by speciesvary by species Spotted SalamanderSpotted Salamander

Egg massesEgg masses Spring peeperSpring peeper

VocalizationsVocalizations Wood frogWood frog

Adults, vocalizations, Adults, vocalizations, and egg massesand egg masses

Wood frog egg Wood frog egg massmass

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Methods – ObservationMethods – Observation VisionVision

Casual visitors fill out Casual visitors fill out log formslog forms

StatusStatus Methods drafted and Methods drafted and

ready for testingready for testing Awaiting Interior and Awaiting Interior and

OMB approvalOMB approval ChallengesChallenges

Recruiting participantsRecruiting participants Maintaining sites and Maintaining sites and

entering dataentering data Data qualityData quality

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Methods – ObservationMethods – Observation VisionVision

Staff or volunteers Staff or volunteers collect data throughout collect data throughout seasonseason

StatusStatus Methods drafted and Methods drafted and

pilotedpiloted Currently used in 5 Currently used in 5

parksparks ChallengesChallenges

Recruiting participantsRecruiting participants Getting sufficient site Getting sufficient site

visits to be usefulvisits to be useful Data qualityData quality

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Methods – PhotographicMethods – Photographic VisionVision

Casual visitors use picture Casual visitors use picture posts and submit photos posts and submit photos onlineonline

StatusStatus Program is up and running Program is up and running

(http://picturepost.unh.edu/)(http://picturepost.unh.edu/) No posts in parks yetNo posts in parks yet

ChallengesChallenges Approval for installationApproval for installation Management and Management and

interpretation of photosinterpretation of photos

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Methods – PhotographicMethods – Photographic VisionVision

Time lapse PlantCam Time lapse PlantCam systems to monitor plants systems to monitor plants and treesand trees

StatusStatus AMC tested in 2010AMC tested in 2010 NPS beginning to NPS beginning to

evaluateevaluate ChallengesChallenges

Capturing all Capturing all phenophasesphenophases

Changing camera specsChanging camera specs Management and Management and

interpretation of photosinterpretation of photos

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Methods – PhotographicMethods – Photographic VisionVision

Webcam-based Phenocam Webcam-based Phenocam system for forest stands system for forest stands and indivdual treesand indivdual trees

StatusStatus Program is up and running Program is up and running

(http://phenocam.unh.edu/(http://phenocam.unh.edu/))

NPS site at AcadiaNPS site at Acadia ChallengesChallenges

Equipment costsEquipment costs Needs infrastructureNeeds infrastructure Management and Management and

interpretation of photosinterpretation of photos

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Methods – AcousticMethods – Acoustic VisionVision

Schools build and deploy Schools build and deploy automated recorders automated recorders and then analyze dataand then analyze data

StatusStatus Evaluating Olympus ARU Evaluating Olympus ARU

against Song Meteragainst Song Meter ChallengesChallenges

$250 per unit still out of $250 per unit still out of reach of schoolsreach of schools

Calibration of micsCalibration of mics Automated data analysisAutomated data analysis Data archivingData archiving

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Methods – AcousticMethods – Acoustic VisionVision

Staff deploy Song Staff deploy Song Meters and analyze Meters and analyze datadata

StatusStatus Deployed at 12 sites in Deployed at 12 sites in

four parksfour parks Similar (larger) project Similar (larger) project

in Southeast Coast in Southeast Coast parksparks

ChallengesChallenges Equipment costsEquipment costs Staff time for Staff time for

deploymentdeployment Automated data Automated data

analysisanalysis Data archivingData archiving

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Methods – IntegrationMethods – Integration VisionVision

At least one site per park uses multiple At least one site per park uses multiple methodsmethods

PurposePurpose Estimate reliability of observer dataEstimate reliability of observer data Evaluate effects of changes in observer Evaluate effects of changes in observer

methods methods Automated methods will be gold standard… Automated methods will be gold standard…

but gold is expensive!but gold is expensive! StatusStatus

Analyzing 2010 observer and acoustic dataAnalyzing 2010 observer and acoustic data Will collocate observers and automated Will collocate observers and automated

methods in 2011methods in 2011

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

ConclusionsConclusions Phenology is the local expression of climate Phenology is the local expression of climate

changechange Phenology monitoringPhenology monitoring

Educates the publicEducates the public Involves the public in stewardshipInvolves the public in stewardship Provides information needed for adaptationProvides information needed for adaptation

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

ConclusionsConclusions Collaboration is essentialCollaboration is essential

Nationally consistent Nationally consistent methods make data methods make data comparablecomparable

No single organization can No single organization can collect enough datacollect enough data

Work together to solve Work together to solve challengeschallenges

Automated tools allow for Automated tools allow for evaluation of observer-evaluation of observer-based methodsbased methods

Full protocol expected Full protocol expected 20122012

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Northeast Temperate NetworkNortheast Temperate Network54 Elm Street, Woodstock, VT 0509154 Elm Street, Woodstock, VT 05091

http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/netn/http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/netn/802-457-3368802-457-3368

National Park ServiceNational Park ServiceU.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Department of the Interior