Keys to the Past, Insight to the Future: Paleoecology and the Importance of Environmental History

1. Tracking Climate Change through Phenology Monitoring: Using Nature’s Notebook as a Tool Keys to the Past, Insight to the Future: Paleoecology and the Importance of Environmental History LoriAnne Barnett Education Coordinator, USA-NPN

2. Introduction to Phenology What is Phenology?

3. Introduction to Phenology What is Phenology? http://climatewisconsin.org/story/phenology

4. Phenology Observation Program • Overview • Introduction to Phenology • USA National Phenology Network • Why Citizen Science? • Using Nature’s Notebook • Programs in Action

5. 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

6. Introduction to Phenology • Who observes phenology? • 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.

7. 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?

8. Introduction to Phenology • Phenology and History • Why should we be involved? • Science and climate literacy • Outdoor experiences • Participate in scientific process

9. 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 are influenced by global environmental change Walden Pond Photo by Scot Miller

10. 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)

11. 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

12. English Oak Winter Moth Pied Flycatcher Introduction to Phenology • Phenology and Climate Change • Research, spring timing and range • A three-way mismatch EARLIER EARLIER SAME TIME EACH YEAR Both et al. 2006 Nature

13. Introduction to Phenology

14. Phenology Observation Program • Overview • Introduction to Phenology • USA National Phenology Network • Why Citizen Science? • Using Nature’s Notebook • Programs in Action

15. 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.

16. 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

17. A Multi-taxa, National-scale Phenology System What’s Nature’s Notebook? A national plant and animal phenology observation program. Online monitoring system Citizen Science/Scientist contributions Core protocols Dynamic data visualizations Network of partners

18. USA National Phenology Network Education Program Goals Science and Climate Literacy Science-Nature-Self Relationships 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.

19. USA National Phenology Network 630 plant species and 230 animal species 1196 observers reporting (4107 total) making ~100,000 observations

20. 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)

21. USA National Phenology Network Climate Change Climate Change • Recent and unusual rise in global temperature • Understand plant & animal response • Record early/late spring & fall events • Ecosystem shift

22. Phenology Observation Program • Overview • Introduction to Phenology • USA National Phenology Network • Why Citizen Science? • Using Nature’s Notebook • Programs in Action

23. Why Citizen Science? • 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 • Eliminates gloom and doom • Citizen Science Info • www.birds.cornell.edu/citsci/about • www.CitSci.org • www.scistarter.org

24. Why Citizen Science? • 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

25. Phenology Observation Program • Overview • Introduction to Phenology • USA National Phenology Network • Why Citizen Science? • Using Nature’s Notebook • Programs in Action

26. 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.

27. Using Nature’s Notebook Phenology Monitoring Methods • Event Monitoring • Captures • First instance of phenologicalevent • 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

28. Abundance and Intensity Captures Sampling frequency Error around date estimate Absence Unusual events Multiple occurrences of a phenophase in one year Phenophase duration Using Nature’s Notebook Phenology Monitoring Methods

29. Status Status & Abundance Using Nature’s Notebook Phenology Monitoring Methods Activity Reproduction Development Event Day of year

30. Using Nature’s Notebook Status Event Abundance – how many? Sample Nature’s Notebook data sheet

31. Phenophase Discussion: Draw or describe each of the phenophases for leaves in your own way

32. Phenophase Discussion: Draw or describe each of the phenophases for leaves in your own way

33. Phenophase Discussion: Draw or describe each of the phenophases for leaves in your own way

34. Using Nature’s Notebook Let’s Go Outside!!! • Bring with you: • Pencil/Pen and Paper • Hand outs – data sheet and phenophase definition page • General plant ID skills • Thinking caps! • Species tagged: • American Basswood – Tiliaamericana • Regional plant species • Allergen • Black Walnut – Juglansnigra • Regional plant species • Allergen • Ohio (Texas) Buckeye - Aesculusglabra

35. Using Nature’s Notebook Five Steps: • Select and delineate a site • Select plant and animal species • Tag individual plants • Record your observations • Report your data online www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines

36. 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

37. 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

38. 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

39. Using Nature’s Notebook http://www.usanpn.org/participate/observe Get Started!

40. Using Nature’s Notebook

41. Using Nature’s Notebook • 4. Record Observations • To make observations, you will need: • Phenophasedefinitions 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

42. Using Nature’s Notebook • 4. Record Observations • To make observations, you will need: • Phenophasedefinitions and instructions www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines

43. Using Nature’s Notebook • 4. Record Observations • YES • NO • UNCERTAIN • No record if you did not check www.usanpn.org/participate/guidelines

44. Using Nature’s Notebook

45. 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

46. Using Nature’s Notebook Plants: Makerepeat observations of the same individual plants for as long as you are recording data.

47. Using Nature’s Notebook Animals: Create a checklist for your site, look and listen for ALLspecies EACHtime you visit. In some cases there may be many animals (mammals, amphibians, insects, etc.) that could visit your site.

48. 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

49. 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

50. Using Nature’s Notebook