Transcript 2013Galaxy-Finalx - USA National Phenology Network

Making meaning out of science:
Using Nature’s Notebook to engage citizens
in exciting and relevant research
LoriAnne Barnett, Education Coordinator, USA-NPN
Peter Warren, Urban Horticulture Agent, U of Arizona Coop. Extension
Science and Volunteers
Take-Aways:
Phenology defined
Phenology & management
Phenology as a lens
Master Gardener case study
Photo credit: E. Alderson
Photo credit: P. Warren
Photo credit: L. Barnett
Photo credit: P. Warren
Phenology
Just to be clear…
phRenology – a
pseudoscience focused on
measurements of the
human skull and size of
the brain
phOnology – a
branch of linguistics
concerned with the
organization of sounds in
What is Phenology?
The science of the seasons
• Blooms and buds
• Hibernation, migration,
emergence
• Easy to observe & record
• Valuable to research
Photo credit: S. Schaffer
…it is the study of recurring
plant and animal life-cycle
stages, or phenophases, and
their relationship to
environmental conditions.
10
minutes
to get set
up
USA National Phenology Network
654 plant species and 243 animal species = ~900 total
1815 observers reporting (6201 total) making ~250,000 observations
Phenology
ANIMAL > Mammal, Bird, Snake, Insect, etc.
Activity
• Active
individuals
• Feeding
Reproduction
• Male combat
• Mating
Development
• Young
individuals
• Dead
individuals
Method
• Individuals
at a feeding
station
PHENOPHASES
PLANT
Leaves
• Breaking leaf
buds
• Leaves
• Colored leaves
Flowers
• Buds
• Flowers or
flower buds
• Pollen release
Fruits
• Ripe fruits
Photo
credit:
P.
Warren
Science and Volunteers
Take-Aways:
Phenology & management
Photo credit: E. Alderson
Photo credit: P. Warren
Photo credit: L. Barnett
Photo credit: P. Warren
Phenological patterns are important,
economically and biologically
… and sensitive to climate
… and sensitive to climate change.
“Phenology…is perhaps the
simplest process in which to
track changes in the ecology of
species in response to climate
change.” (IPCC 2007)
“Because of their close connection with
climate, the timing of phenological events
can be accurate indicators of climate
change.” (EPA 2010)
Phenology & management
Documented
changes in
phenology across
the United States
https://www.usanpn.org/pubs/reports
Science and Volunteers
Take-Aways:
Phenology as a lens
Photo credit: E. Alderson
Photo credit: P. Warren
Photo credit: L. Barnett
Photo credit: P. Warren
Phenology as a lens
Horticultural science
Environmental education
Gardening practice
Land Management
Phenology as a lens
Oriental fruit
moth
management
©Wikimedia Commons
©Wikimedia Commons
©Wikimedia Commons
• Growing-degree days (GDD) are used to
measure when to manage the moths
• Start accumulating once they are
showing up in pheromone traps
• 175DD (base = 45) after first sustained
catch is time for spraying
Science and Volunteers
Take-Aways:
Master Gardener case study
Photo credit: E. Alderson
Photo credit: P. Warren
Photo credit: L. Barnett
Photo credit: P. Warren
Master Gardener Case Study
YEAR 1
Observed once a week for 8 weeks
1.
2.
3.
4.
Intro to Phenology
Research
Examples of application
Intro to Nature’s
Notebook
5. Collect data
Master Gardener Case Study
1.
2.
3.
4.
Climate and life zones
Species and diversity
Phenology
Master Gardeners and
Phenology
5. Future applications
YEAR 2
Observed once a week for 13 weeks
Pre-assigned groups
Pima Extension Office Data Comparison
1. Data for Creosote in 2012 vs. 2013
2. Data for Ocotillo in 2013
Dark Grey = no data
Light Grey=User entered “no”
Color corresponds to phenophase
Master Gardener Case Study
Post Class Survey Results:
2012
2013
“Surprised at how much more I paid attention to plants in my garden.”
Master Gardener Case Study
Conclusions:
• Most MGs appreciate the opportunity
• Most MGs are still not inspired to carry on
• On site continuation rate of 20% achieved
Photo credit: B. Powell
FUTURE PLAN:
• Interpretive walk in garden, grounded in ecological process
• Focus on scientific questions on location tied to local research
• Emphasize how phenology is an indicator for best practices
• Nurture volunteers interested in year-round data collection
Photo credit: B. Powell
Phenology as a lens revisited
Skills to teach:
• Observation
• Scientific process
• Record-keeping
Science questions to answer:
• Is the monsoon season correlated
with the dropping of ripe mesquite
beans?
• When is the best time to harvest
mesquite beans to get the most
beans per effort?
• How far into the monsoon season is
it safe to collect beans without
aflatoxins?
QUESTIONS?
Photo credit: L. Barnett
Thank you!
You’re invited to
connect with USA-NPN…
Peter Warren
[email protected]
• Join the Nature’s Notebook
community and become an
observer
• Discover new tools and
resources for research
• Share ideas with others
LoriAnne Barnett
[email protected]
@loriannebarnett