Keys to the Past, Insight to the Future:
Paleoecology and the Importance of
Environmental History
Tracking Climate Change through Phenology Monitoring:
Using Nature’s Notebook as a Tool
LoriAnne Barnett
Education Coordinator, USA-NPN
Introduction to Phenology
What is Phenology?
Introduction to Phenology
What is Phenology?
http://climatewisconsin.org/story/phenology
Phenology Observation Program
Overview
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Introduction to Phenology
USA National Phenology Network
Why Citizen Science?
Using Nature’s Notebook
Programs in Action
Introduction 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
• Health implications
• Agricultural uses
Introduction to Phenology
Who observes phenology?
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Scientists
Gardeners
Agriculturists
Land managers
Youth
Famous historical figures
Stink bug trap
crops (right)
adjacent
to soybean in
October in
north Florida
Photo courtesy of:
Northern Florida Research and Education Center,
Mizell, R. F.
Introduction to Phenology
Discussion:
What seasonal changes have you noticed in the last 12 months that are
different than you remember from the past year? Past 5 years? Past 20
years?
Have you ever kept a nature journal or calendar? Do you wish you had?
How would it be useful to you today?
How does phenology directly relate to your life? Our lives on this
planet?
Introduction to Phenology
Phenology and History
Why should we be
involved?
• Science and climate literacy
• Outdoor experiences
• Participate in scientific
process
Introduction to Phenology
History and Phenology
Research, spring timing and range
• 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 Miller-Rushing, 2012)
SPECIES
AND ECOSYSTEMS
Walden Pond
Photo by Scot Miller
ARE INFLUENCED BY
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
Introduction to Phenology
History and Phenology
Cloned Plants Project
• Began in 1950s by Joe Caprio
• Series of lilacs and data at
Experimental Ranges across US for
improve predictions of crop yield, pest
management and bloom dates
• Clones minimize variations between
locations
• Predict the spring index and provide
comparable data
• Became part of the
UW - Milwaukee Indicator
Observation Program
HISTORIC LILAC NETWORK
ESTABLISHED IN THE 1950S
SANTA RITA
EXPERIMENTAL RANGE,
GREEN VALLEY, AZ
S. vulgaris (common lilac), S. x chinensis (Red Rothromagenisis),
C. florida (Appalachian Spring Dogwood)
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. –A. Leopold
Introduction to Phenology
Phenology and Climate Change
EARLIER
Research, spring timing and range
A three-way mismatch
English Oak
EARLIER
Winter Moth
SAME TIME EACH YEAR
Pied Flycatcher
Both et al. 2006 Nature
Introduction to Phenology
Phenology Observation Program
Overview
 USA National Phenology Network
USA National Phenology Network
Primary goal
To 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.
A NATIONAL NETWORK OF
INTEGRATED PHENOLOGICAL
OBSERVATIONS ACROSS SPACE AND
TIME.
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
A Multi-taxa, National-scale
Phenology System
What’s Nature’s Notebook?
A national plant and animal phenology
observation program.
Online monitoring system
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Citizen Science/Scientist contributions
Core protocols
Dynamic data visualizations
Network of partners
USA National Phenology Network
Education Program Goals
1. Science and Climate
Literacy
2. Science-Nature-Self
Relationships
3. The Integration of
Science and Education
Engage observers with Nature’s Notebook and data collection
through providing directed scientific outdoor experiences and
opportunities to interpret data.
USA National Phenology Network
630 plant species and 230 animal species
1196 observers reporting (4107 total) making ~100,000 observations
USA National Phenology Network
Research needs
• Standard, long-term, accessible data set
• Interactive tools for visualization
• Plant and animal species data for multiple
locations
• Focal species
• Multiple and long-term observations
• Regional and continental scale data
Tracking patterns of migration and plant
phenology is the first step in identifying
responses to climate change such as
phenological mismatches.
(Nature’s Notebook 2011:
Data & Participation Summary, March 2012)
USA National Phenology Network
Recent and unusual rise in global temperature
• Understand plant & animal response
• Record early/late spring & fall events
• Ecosystem shift
Phenology Observation Program
Overview
 Why Citizen Science?
Why Citizen Science?
What Is Citizen Science?
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Engages volunteers
Expands ability of scientists
Teaches scientific methods
Public and professional
scientists
Research teams
Educate and generate data
Meet science & research
goals
Eliminates gloom and doom
Citizen Science Info
• www.birds.cornell.edu/citsci/about
• www.CitSci.org
• www.scistarter.org
Why Citizen Science?
Personal Interactions
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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
 Using Nature’s Notebook
Using Nature’s Notebook
Phenophase Definitions
What is a phenophase?
An observable stage in the annual
lifecycle of a plant or animal that
can be defined by a start and end
point. Often having a duration of
a few days or weeks.
Using Nature’s Notebook
Phenology Monitoring Methods
Event Monitoring
Event
Date
First arrival
5-Apr
First egg
22-Apr
Captures
• First instance of phenological
event
• Phenology of species with
predictable series of events
Does not capture
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Sampling Frequency
Estimated error in event date
Unusual events
Repeat events
Duration of phenological stages
Using Nature’s Notebook
Phenology Monitoring Methods
Abundance and Intensity
Captures
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Sampling frequency
Error around date estimate
Absence
Unusual events
Multiple occurrences of a
phenophase in one year
• Phenophase duration
Do you see…
29-Mar
5-Apr
11-Apr
17-Apr
22-Apr
28-Apr
5-May
15-May
Adults
present?
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Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Nest with
eggs?
?
N
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Y
Y
N
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Y
Using Nature’s Notebook
Phenology Monitoring Methods
Activity
Reproduction
Event
Status
Status &
Abundance
Day of year
Development
Using Nature’s Notebook
Status
Event
Abundance – how many?
Sample Nature’s Notebook data sheet
Phenophase
Discussion:
Draw or describe each
of the phenophases
for leaves in your own
way
Phenophase
Discussion:
Draw or describe each
of the phenophases
for leaves in your own
way
Phenophase
Discussion:
Draw or describe each
of the phenophases
for leaves in your own
way
Using Nature’s Notebook
Let’s Go Outside!!!
Bring with you:
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Pencil/Pen and Paper
Hand outs – data sheet and phenophase definition page
General plant ID skills
Thinking caps!
Species tagged:
1. American Basswood – Tilia americana
• Regional plant species
• Allergen
2. Black Walnut – Juglans nigra
• Regional plant species
• Allergen
3. Ohio (Texas) Buckeye - Aesculus glabra
Using Nature’s Notebook
Five Steps:
1. Select and delineate a site
2. Select plant and animal species
3. Tag individual plants
4. Record your observations
5. Report your data online
www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines
Using Nature’s Notebook
1. Select and delineate a site
A 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..
www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines
Using Nature’s Notebook
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
www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines
Using Nature’s Notebook
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!
www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines
Using Nature’s Notebook
http://www.usanpn.org/participate/observe
Get Started!
Using Nature’s Notebook
Using Nature’s Notebook
4. Record Observations
To 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)
www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines
Using Nature’s Notebook
4. Record
Observations
To make
observations,
you will need:
• Phenophase
definitions
and
instructions
www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines
Using Nature’s Notebook
4. Record Observations
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YES
NO
UNCERTAIN
No record if you did not check
www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines
Using Nature’s Notebook
Using Nature’s Notebook
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.
www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines
Using Nature’s Notebook
Plants: Make repeat observations of the same individual plants
for as long as you are recording data.
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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
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
www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines
Using Nature’s Notebook
5. Enter Observations
Online
• As frequently as possible
• Follow the step-by-step
questions
• Enter data for all species
collected each time
www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines
Using Nature’s Notebook
Using Nature’s Notebook
Resources available to you:
• Frequently Asked Questions Link on Website
• Mobile Apps for Android and iPhone
Using Nature’s Notebook
REVIEW Five Steps:
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
www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines
Using Nature’s Notebook
Resources available to you:
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Online training materials for Nature’s Notebook at home
Volunteer/community engagement tips
Plans for implementation of Phenology Gardens and Trails
Assistance from the USA-NPN Education Specialist on how to tailor
Nature’s Notebook to your needs
Phenology Observation Program
Overview
 Programs in Action
Programs in Action
Tucson Phenology Trail
Currently 7 locations
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Biosphere 2
UA Campus
Sam Hughes Neighborhood
PimaExtension Offices
Santa Rita Experimental
Range
• Tucson Audubon Mason
Center
• Tumamoc Hill
Total of 75 Miles, start to finish
3-10 species tagged at each
Programs in Action
Phenology Observation Program
Collecting systematic
information about species life
cycles will allow us to build a
long term data set. We then
may begin to understand how
our ecosystems are responding
to a changing environment.
Thank you!
You’re invited to
connect with USA-NPN…
LoriAnne Barnett
lorianne@usanpn.org
• 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
LoriAnne Barnett
lorianne@usanpn.org