Tucson Phenology Monitoring Project

Tucson Phenology Monitoring ProjectIntroduction to Phenology

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Opening Activity

1. Using the card you have been given, find others in the group with the same SPECIES NAME.

2. Once you are in a group of 3 or 4, discuss what you know about the life cycles listed on the cards.

3. Share your answers with the class.

Phenology Observation Program

Overview

• Intro to Phenology • USA National Phenology Network• Research and Education• Site-based Programs• Using Nature’s Notebook • USA-NPN and Master Gardeners

Phenology Observation

Do you keep a journal? What do you notice about the seasons, here versus another part of the country?

What is different about this year?

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.

Intro to Phenology

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

emergence• Easy to observe from leaf to

globe

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

relationships• Management strategies • Leading indicator of

climate change impacts

Applications of Phenology Data• Resource management• Conservation• Agriculture• Ecosystem services• Science• Health• Decision-support tools

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

and climate change.

Intro to Phenology Observation

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

How can our community be involved?

• Science and climate literacy• Outdoor experiences

• Participate in scientific process

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


Photo by Scot Miller

• 43 species at Walden Pond bloom 7 days earlier than in Thoreau’s time

• 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


A three- way mismatch

English Oak

Winter Moth

Pied Flycatcher Both et al. 2006 Nature

EARLIER

SAME TIME EACH YEAR

EARLIER

Intro to Phenology

Research needs• 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


Overview

• Intro to Phenology USA National Phenology Network

• Research and Education• Site-based Programs• Using Nature’s Notebook • USA-NPN and Master Gardeners

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

Citizen Science Info

What Is Citizen Science?• Engages volunteers• Expands ability of scientists• Teaches scientific methods• Public and professional scientists• Research teams• Educate and generate data

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

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/citsci/about



http://www.CitSci.org/

http://www.scistarter.org/


• 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

• Meet science & research goals• Invasive plants, birds,

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

USA-National Phenology Network

www.usanpn.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.


Online monitoring system∙ 311 vetted plant species∙ 160 vetted animal species∙ Core protocols∙ Abundance & intensity reporting∙ Metadata & QA/QC methods∙ Dynamic data visualizations∙ Possible species additions by

request


311 plant species and 160 animal species 3160 observers at 4412 sites observing 5459 individual organisms

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 durationDo 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


Event

Activity Reproduction Development

Day of year

Phenology Monitoring Methods

Status & Abundance

Status


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-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

Nature Journal Activity

Nature Journals• Include basic information: date, time, weather, species• Text or sketches• Topography, layout, land alteration• Science, reference later• Phenology journals can be seasonal observations or just

dates on a calendar


Take a Rest!!15 minute break


Overview

• Intro to Phenology • USA National Phenology Network

Research and Education• Site-based Programs• Using Nature’s Notebook • USA-NPN and Master Gardeners

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


Combined Techniques

Satellite/Remote SensingPhotographsHand-recorded data


Data visualization


NPN dataset - Opportunity to broaden investigation to full ROI (St Louis, MO to NE Maine) (Fredl et al, 2012. Unpublished.)

• Common deciduous forest over-story trees, multi-species

• 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?

Research and EducationCan we detect the anomalously warm spring of 2010 in the NE US on organismal phenology?

Problematic because we collective considerMultiple sitesMultiple individualsMultiple observers

But, we are interested in population-level effects…


USA-NPN Resources Available for Facilitation

Volunteer training materials• Workshop agendas and powerpoints,

brochures, templates• Curriculum for upper middle, high school

and adult programs• Online training materials

Site-based resources• Phenology trail and garden templates

USA-NPN EDUCATION PROGRAM STAFF CAN ASSIST WITH PROGRAM DESIGN & IMPLEMENTATION ON

THE REFUGES.


• Phenology is a teaching tool – can teach scientific process• Citizen science programs can assist with limited staffing

• Volunteers or partnerships with agencies (Extension) can make monitoring more robust


Overview

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

Site-based Programs• Using Nature’s Notebook• USA-NPN and Master Gardeners

Site-based Programs

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

Site-based Programs

Site-based Programs

Tucson Phenology

Trail

Sam Hughes Neighborhood

CampusArboretum

BioSphere2

PimaExtension

Office

National Phenology

Network

Santa RitaExperimental Range

Site-based Programs

Site-based Programs

A=OcotilloB=Palo VerdeC=Velvet MesquiteD=Velvet MesquiteE=OcotilloF=SaguaroG=OcotilloH=CreosoteI=CreosoteJ=Jojoba

Site-based Programs

Site-based Programs

Site-based ProgramsWildlife Refuges using Nature’s Notebook

Kenai Peninsula NWR, Alaska

The Kenai Peninsula is under pressure from a drying, warming climate. Local residents and seasonal visitors can help scientists study the ways the forest, wetland and animal populations are adapting to these changes by recording data, spreading the word about their observations, and reducing the negative impacts to our special ecosystems on the Kenai.

Leah Eskelin, Park Ranger

Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office• Install gardens, host workshops, conduct

monitoring• Train volunteers

Site-based Programs

Site-based ProgramsCooperative Extension and Nature’s Notebook

Gulf of Maine Coastal Program

"Signs of the Seasons: A Maine Phenology Project”, recruits and trains volunteers to observe and record phenological data. One of the goals of the program is to broaden general knowledge of climate change by providing citizens with the tools to gather climate change data themselves - in other words it's a citizen-science initiative.” –Mao Teng Lin, USFWS Gulf Coast of Maine

Implementing a Phenology Monitoring Network, in partnership with local groups to track Florida species response to climate change.• Workshops, school groups,

curriculum, botanical gardens

Site-based Programs

• 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

Dichotomous Key Activity – 20 mins

Dichotomous means “divided into two parts” and a dichotomouskey offers two choices at each step leading to the identity of the object.

Used to identify things based on observable characteristics.

Using the traditional dichotomous key, one should be able to pick up anyobject included in the key and follow the steps to arrive at its identity.

Shoes

Shoes with laces

Shoes without laces

Not tennis shoes

Tennis shoes

Not sandals

Sandals

Emily’s shoe

White

Orange

Helen’s shoe

John’s shoe

Ryan’s shoe

Marco’s shoe


Shoes

Shoes with laces

Shoes without laces

Not tennis shoes

Tennis shoes

Not sandals

Sandals

Emily’s shoe

White

Orange

Helen’s shoe

John’s shoe

Ryan’s shoe

Marco’s shoe

1. a. shoes with laces…………………………………….go to #2 b. shoes without laces…………………………………go to #42. a. not tennis shoes……………………………………..Emily’s shoe b. tennis shoes…………………………………………go to #33. a. white………………………………………………...Helen’s shoe b. orange……………………………………………….John’s shoe4. a. not sandals…………………………………………..Ryan’s shoe b. sandals………………………………………………Marco’s shoe


Dichotomous Key with local species

20 mins – half hour


Overview

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

Using Nature’s Notebook• USA-NPN and Master Gardeners

Using Nature’s Notebook

Get Started!


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:



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..



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



Select Plant and Animal Species• Choose from list of

recommended (vetted) species• Calibration species

• Ecological importance• Big-picture

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

Tag your plants!• Ease of location



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)



Record Observations

To make observations, you will need: • Phenophase

definitions and instructions


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






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



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


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• Plants: repeat observations of the same individual plants• Animals: create a checklist for your site, look and listen for all

species each time you visit



Enter Observations Online• Create your account • Register your site • Register your plants • Create your animal

checklist


Create an account• Click on #3




Creating a site at home



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 with

corresponding curriculum• Assistance from the USA-NPN Education Specialist on how to tailor

Nature’s Notebook to your needs


Overview

• Intro to Phenology • USA-NPN and USFWS Partnership• Research and Education• Site-based Programs• Using Nature’s Notebook

USA-NPN & Master Gardeners

Assignment

Know your Native Plants!

JojobaSaguaro

Creosote bushVelvet mesquiteHoney mesquiteDesert ironwoodBlue paloverde

Yellow paloverde

Questions?

Thank you!

LoriAnne BarnettUSA-NPN

Education [email protected]

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

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

Tucson Phenology Monitoring Project