Tucson Phenology Monitoring ProjectAdd Your Title Here

Citiz

en S

cien

ce

Phen

olog

y O

bser

vatio

n Pr

ogra

m

Phenology Observation Program

Overview

• Intro to Phenology • USA National Phenology Network• Research and Education• Application• Using Nature’s Notebook

Phenology is:Phenology refers to recurring plant and animal life cycle stages, or phenophases, such as leafing and flowering, maturation of agricultural plants, emergence of insects, and migration of birds.

Intro to Phenology

Phenology, in short, is a “horizontal science” which transects all ordinary biological professions. Whoever

sees the land as a whole is likely to have an interest in it.Leopold, A., and S.E. Jones. 1947. A phenological record for Sauk and Dane Counties, Wisconsin, 1935-1945. Ecological Monographs 17(1):81-122.

phenophases

Intro to Phenology

What is phenology?• Nature’s calendar• Blooms and buds• Hibernation, migration

emergence

Why does it matter?• Growth rate and range• Animal – plant – climate

relationships• Management strategies • Leading indicator of

climate change impacts

Applications of Phenology Data• Conservation• Resource management• Agriculture• Ecosystem services• Science • Health

Value of phenologyPhenology data helps us understand how plants, animals and landscapes respond to environmental variation

and climate change.

Decision-support tools

Intro to Phenology Observation

Who observes phenology?• Famous historical figures• Historical data sets• Gardeners• Nature enthusiasts• Scientists

How can our community be involved?

• Science process • Climate literacy

• Outdoor experiences

Intro to Phenology

Phenology and Climate ChangeResearch, spring timing and range

Photo by Scot Miller

• 43 species at Walden Pond bloom 7 days earlier than 150 years ago

• Blueberries flower 21 days earlier

• 27% of the species are no longer there

• Importance of legacy datasets

(Primack and Rushing, 2012)

SPECIESAND ECOSYSTEMS

INFLUENCED BY GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL

CHANGE

Intro to Phenology

Phenology and Climate ChangeResearch, spring timing and range

Types of observed shifts• Timing of migratory bird arrivals (Root et al. 2003, Gordo 2007)• Timing of animal emergence (Inouye et al. 2000, Parmesan et al. 2003)• Timing of egg laying (Brown et al. 1999)

Changing Migration Patterns1977: 3,000 Brant overwintered in AlaskaToday: 40,000 overwinter(Ward et al. 2009)

Intro to Phenology

Phenology and Climate ChangeResearch, spring timing and range

A three-way mismatch

English Oak

Winter Moth

Pied Flycatcher Both et al. 2006 Nature

EARLIER

SAME TIME EACH YEAR

EARLIER

Intro to Phenology

Phenology Observation Program

Overview

• Intro to Phenology USA National Phenology Network

• Research and Education• Application• Using Nature’s Notebook

USA National Phenology Network

www.usanpn.org

USA-National Phenology Network

www.usanpn.org

A NATIONAL NETWORK OF INTEGRATED PHENOLOGICAL

OBSERVATIONS ACROSS SPACE AND TIME.

Primary goalTo encourage observation of phenological events and understand how plants, animals and landscapes respond to environmental variation and climate change.

Mission• Make phenology data, models and

related information available to scientists, resource managers and the public.

• Encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to observe and record phenology.

USA National Phenology Network

Network Tools• Standard methods for data

collection• Basic and applied research• Decision-support tools• Education and outreach

Nature’s Notebook

Legacy Datasets Citizen Science Project

USA National Phenology Network

USA National Phenology Network

What Is Citizen Science?• Engages volunteers• Expands ability of scientists• Teaches scientific methods• Public and professional

scientists• Research teams• Educate and generate data• Meet science & research goals

USA National Phenology Network

• Public Participation in Scientific Research (PPSR) From Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Citizen science, volunteer monitoring and other forms of organized research projects in which members of the public engage are included in the field

• Invasive plants, birds, bees/pollinators, earthquakes, infectious disease, astronomy, weather, wildlife, acid rain, oil spills, wildlife, rainfall, archaeology, pollution, “old weather”

Citizen Science Info• www.birds.cornell.edu/citsci/about• www.CitSci.org• www.scistarter.org

A Multi-taxa, National-scale Phenology System

What’s Nature’s Notebook?A national plant and animal phenology observation program.

Thousands of passionate citizen scientists across the US share their observations with researchers, resource managers and others who use this information to understand our changing planet, make scientific discoveries, and create new tools.

USA National Phenology Network

Online monitoring system∙ 630 vetted plant species∙ 230 vetted animal species∙ Core protocols∙ Abundance & intensity

reporting∙ Metadata & QA/QC methods∙ Dynamic data visualizations∙ Possible species additions by

request

USA National Phenology Network

630 plant species and 230 animal species

4107 observers (1196 reporting) at 5526 sites making 97,237 observations

Summary as of 12/2011

USA National Phenology NetworkPhenology Monitoring Methods

Event Date

First arrival 5-Apr

First egg 22-Apr

Event MonitoringCaptures• First instance of phenological

event• Phenology of species with

predictable series of events

Does not capture• Sampling Frequency• Estimated error in event date• Unusual events• Repeat events• Duration of phenological stages

USA National Phenology NetworkPhenology Monitoring Methods

Abundance and IntensityCapturesSampling frequencyError around date estimateAbsenceUnusual events Multiple occurrences of a phenophase in one yearPhenophase duration

Do you see… 29-Mar 5-Apr 11-Apr 17-Apr 22-Apr 28-Apr 5-May 15-May

Adults present?

N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

Nest with eggs?

? N N Y Y N N Y

USA National Phenology Network

Event

Activity Reproduction Development

Day of year

Phenology Monitoring Methods

Status & Abundance

Status

USA National Phenology Network

Engage observers with Nature’s Notebook and data collection through providing directed scientific outdoor experiences.

1. Science and Climate Literacy

2. Science-Nature-Self Relationships

3. The Integration of Science and Education

USA-NPN Education Program Goals

USA National Phenology Network

USA-NPN Education Program• Connect people to nature

- Nature Deficit Disorder• Agency engagement programs• Formal/informal education• Climate and science literacy• Move beyond 'gloom and doom' of

climate change

Phenology Observation Program

Overview

• Intro to Phenology • USA National Phenology Network

Research and Education• Application• Using Nature’s Notebook

Research and Education

Recent and unusual rise in global temperature• Understand plant & animal response• Record early/late spring & fall events• Ecosystem shift • Multiple and long-term observations• Regional and continental scale data

Research and Education

Combined Techniques

Satellite/Remote SensingPhotographsHand-recorded data

Research and Education

Data visualization

Research and Education

NPN dataset – Used to broaden the investigation (Fredl et al, 2011. Unpublished)

• Common deciduous forest trees• Data from 2009-2011 only• 100s of sites, though time-series

variable (sometimes sparse or discontinuous)

Can we detect the anomalously warm spring of 2010 in the NE US on organismal phenology?

NPN data visualization tool Emerging leaves or first leaf date (FLD)Q: Advanced FLD in 2010 relative to 2009 and 2011?A: YES

Research and Education

Friedl’s study region and USA-NPN’s data

a project of the USA-NPN

Research and Education

a project of the USA-NPN

Expanded view of data points

Early in 2010

Research and Education

• Detect anomalous seasonal temps

• Detect changes in phenology

• Preliminary analyses• Operate at scale from

individual to region• Winnow dataset• Output graphics for

presentation• Output data for more

detailed/statistical analyses

Viz tool can be used to…

http://www.usanpn.org/results/visualizations

Research and Education

Research needs• Standard, Long-term, accessible data set• Interactive tools for visualization• Plant and animal species data for multiple

locations • Focal species

Results• Better understanding of changes

• Analysis of impacts• Communication

Research and Education

• Phenology is a teaching tool used to teach the scientific process

• Citizen science programs can assist with limited staffing

• Volunteers or partnerships with agencies can make monitoring more robust

Phenology Observation Program

Overview

• Intro to Phenology • USA-NPN and USFWS Partnership• Research and Education

Application• Using Nature’s Notebook

Application

Community

PhenologyTrail

Neighborhood

University

Community Space/Library

LocalExtension

Office

Local Natural

Area

Schoolyard/Habitat Garden

Application

Workshops & Tours• How to observe• Local species talks• Campus plant and tree walks • Demonstration gardens• Master Gardener Class with

Phenology chapter• Phenology Trails and Phenology

Gardens• Neighborhood Association

Partnerships

Application

National Parks using Nature’s Notebook

Phenology in the Parks

Application

National Wildlife Refuges using Nature’s Notebook

Kenai Peninsula NWR, AlaskaLeah Eskelin, Park Ranger

Gulf of Maine Coastal Program

Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office

Application

Cooperative Extension and Nature’s Notebook

Application

Personal Interactions

• Backyard observations• Trail observations• Share your data set• Data analysis• Join the conversation!

“HAVING A REASON AND A MECHANISM

FOR PAYING ATTENTION TO THE NATURAL WORLD

AROUND ME ENRICHES MY LIFE.” —

HANS

Phenology Observation Program

Overview

• Intro to Phenology • USA-National Phenology Network• Research and Education• Application

Using Nature’s Notebook

Using Nature’s Notebook

Get Started!

http://www.usanpn.org/participate/observe

Using Nature’s Notebook

Using Nature’s Notebook

Using Nature’s Notebook

Using Nature’s Notebook

Using Nature’s Notebook

www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines

1. Select and delineate a site

2. Select plant and animal species

3. Tag individual plants

4. Record your observations of animals

and plants

5. Report your data online

Five Steps:

Using Nature’s Notebook

www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines

1. Select and delineate a siteA site is the area within which you will look for your species you choose to observe. When you select a site, such as your yard or a nearby natural area, consider these guidelines: • Convenience and easily

accessible. • Representative location of the

environmental conditions for your area. Flat, gentle slope..

Using Nature’s Notebook

www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines

1. Select and delineate a site• Uniform habitat• Appropriate size - < 15 acres

• Plants and animals?• Your backyard

• PROPER PERMISSION!• Agency may already be

participating• No trespassing

• More than 20 feet from building

Using Nature’s Notebook

www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines

2. Select Plant and Animals• Choose from list • Calibration species

• Ecological importance• Big-picture

• Proper identification• Data quality!• One - three plants for variation• Use comments

3. Tag your plants!• Ease of location• Can always find them!

Using Nature’s Notebook

Creating a site at home, after you’ve tagged plants

Using Nature’s Notebook

Using Nature’s Notebook

Using Nature’s Notebook

Using Nature’s Notebook

www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines

4. Record Observations

To make observations, you will need: • Phenophase

definitions and instructions

Using Nature’s Notebook

4. Record Observations• YES• NO• UNCERTAIN• No record if you did not check

www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines

Using Nature’s Notebook

www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines

4. Record ObservationsTo make observations, you will need: • Phenophase definitions and

instructions• Datasheets, clipboard, pencil:

You can download and print a datasheet for each plant or animals from the profile page

• Binoculars (optional)

Using Nature’s Notebook

www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines

Frequency of Observations• As often as possible• At least once a week• All observations are valuable!

Time of Day• Convenient• Consistent• Daytime

Keep looking for a phenophase even if it has ended.

Using Nature’s Notebook

62

Plants: Make repeat observations of the same individual plants for as long as you are recording data.

Using Nature’s Notebook

Animals: Create a checklist for your site, look and listen for ALL species EACH time you visit. In some cases there may be many animals (mammals, amphibians, insects, etc.) that could visit your site.

Using Nature’s Notebook

www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines

Why?• Phenophases may be

triggered by moisture and not just temperature

• Negative data is valuable• Conditions may change

rapidly• More data = better analysis• Climate shift may be

changing when events occur

Using Nature’s Notebook

www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines

5. Enter Observations Online• As frequently as possible• Follow the step-by-step

questions• Enter data for all species

collected each time

Using Nature’s Notebook

Using Nature’s Notebook

www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines

1. Select and delineate a site

2. Select plant and animal species

3. Tag individual plants

4. Record your observations of animals

and plants

5. Report your data online

REVIEW Five Steps:

Using Nature’s Notebook

Resources available to you:• Online training materials for Nature’s Notebook at home• Volunteer/community engagement tips• Plans for implementation of Phenology Gardens and Trails• Smart phone applications• Assistance from the USA-NPN Education Specialist on how to tailor

Nature’s Notebook to your needs

Thank you!

LoriAnne BarnettUSA-NPN

Education Coordinatorlorianne@usanpn.org

You’re invited to connect with USA-NPN…

• Sign up for a phenology e-newsletter (quarterly)

• Join the Nature’s Notebook community and become an observer: Contribute to science while having fun!

• Discover new tools and resources for work or play