Phenology Trail and Tribal Colleges: An introduction to collaboration LoriAnne Barnett Education Coordinator, USA-NPN.

Phenology Trail and Tribal Colleges:

An introduction to collaboration

LoriAnne BarnettEducation Coordinator, USA-NPN

Amelanchier arborea: Serviceberry or “shadbush”Blooms when shad are running in rivers

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 soundsIn language

Objectives

Define phenology

Nature’s Notebook and the USA National Phenology Network

Phenology trails

Science and collaboration

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Phenology

What is phenology?The science of the seasons• Blooms and buds• Hibernation, migration,

emergence• Easy to observe

Photo credit: L. Barnett

…it is the study of recurring plant and animal life-cycle stages, or phenophases, and their relationship to environmental conditions.

Phenology

Who observes phenology?• Scientists

• Gardeners/Agriculturists• Land managers

• Educators• Youth

Photo credit: C. Enquist

Photo credit: P. Warren

Photo credit: S. Schaffer

Using nature as a guide

Reproduction DevelopmentActivity

ANIMAL > Mammal, Bird, Snake

Flowers FruitsLeaves

PLANT

Observable life stages

Using nature as a guide

Camellia spp.

Photo credit: Google images

Norfolk Botanical Garden

Objectives

Define phenology

Nature’s Notebook and the USA National Phenology Network

Phenology trails

Science and collaboration Ph

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UNDERSTAND HOW SPECIES AND LANDSCAPES ARE

RESPONDING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Primary goal• Create a standardized dataset

for use in multiple types of research.

Mission• Make phenology data, models

and related information available.

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

USA National Phenology Network

Photo credit: C. Enquist

Nature’s Notebookfor scientists,

naturalists, volunteers, land managers, park rangers, and YOU!

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Nature’s Notebook

Plant and animal species = 943 total

3112 observers reporting (9655 total) making 482,343 observations1

1As of 02-11-14

11,440 sites

Nature’s Notebook

Nature’s Notebook

Reproduction Development MethodActivity

ANIMAL > Mammal, Bird, Snake, Insect

• Active individuals

• Feeding

• Male combat• Mating

• Young individuals

• Dead individuals

• Individuals at a feeding station

Flowers FruitsLeaves

• Young leaves• Leaves• Colored leaves

• Flowers or flower buds

• Open flowers

• Ripe fruits• Recent seed

or fruit drop

PLANT PHENOPHASES

You MUST have your account completely set up online first to use the mobile apps!

Mobile Apps for iPhone and Android

Photo credit: L. Barnett

Photo credit: L. Barnett

Photo credit: P. Warren

Objectives

Define phenology

Nature’s Notebook and the USA National Phenology Network

Phenology trails

Science and collaboration

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Phenology Trails

What is a Phenology Trail? A phenology trail is a network of Nature’s Notebook observation sites. Each site has at least two plant and/or animal individuals tagged for data collection.

Observations help us remember what happened, and when.

Phenology Trails

When do white oak trees leaf out in the spring and, subsequently, lose their leaves in the

fall?

NASA SatelliteAerial & On-the-

ground Photography

Schoolyard habitats

Nature Centers

Refuge Biologists

Volunteer Groups

Phenology Trails

Tucson Phenology TrailCurrent locations• Biosphere 2• UA Campus (2 sites)• Sam Hughes & Rincon Heights

Neighborhood• Pima Extension Offices (2 sites)• Tucson Botanical Garden• Pima County Parks and Rec• USGS Buffelgrass Project• Tucson Audubon Mason Center• Santa Rita Experimental Range

Total of 75 Miles, start to finish3-10 species tagged at each

Phenology Trails

Species being monitored

• Jojoba• Velvet mesquite• Yellow paloverde• Blue paloverde• Ocotillo• Creosote• Florida hopbush• Saguaro• Penstemon (parryi)• Texas Ranger• Desert Ironwood• +++Tucson Phenology Trail www.usanpn.org/Tucson-Phenology-Trail

Objectives

Define phenology

Nature’s Notebook and the USA National Phenology Network

Phenology trails

Science and collaboration

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Science and collaboration

Help achieve programmatic goals

Within and between organizations

Science and collaboration

Develop your own scientific questions to answer,

using Nature’s Notebook: What questions do you

have about seasonality in your backyard?

What evidence do we have that there are seasonal changes? Why?

Create a list of observations you’ve made, plan to record them in Nature’s Notebook as regularly as possible for at least a year

Based upon inquiry lessons in science.education.nih.gov

Photo credit: L. Barnett

Photo credit: L. Barnett

Photo credit: P. Warren

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Science and collaboration

Science questions to answer: 1. Is the monsoon season correlated with the dropping of ripe mesquite beans?

2. When is the best time to harvest mesquite beans to get the most beans per effort?

3. How far into the monsoon season is it safe to collect beans for harvest?

Photo credit: P. Guertin

Photo credit: P. Warren

Photo credit: L. Barnett

Design a PHENOLOGY PROGRAM

• What is your science question?• What outcomes do you want to achieve?• What are the activities you can do?• What are the resources you already have?• Who would be potential partners?

Long-term observations help the USA-NPN and can help local programs!

Science and collaboration

Short term (within a year) Engage participants in

collecting observations, year round, on mesquite trees

Develop activities for youth and adults at sites to encourage observations of mesquite trees

Medium term (within 3-4 years) Share data with participants,

develop a phenology calendar for the mesquite tree

Encourage participants to recruit others to collect observations

Long term (5+ years) Make general

recommendations for safe harvest times

GO

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and

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Help achieve programmatic goals

Within and between organizations

• Set up a site and regularly collect and enter data

• Create science questions

• Visit a partner group site and regularly collect and enter data

• Participate in a regional campaign

• Think about phenology as a lens to natural world

How can I participate?

Join a Campaign

Help researchers answer key questions

Get localized results and an end of season summary

Find the right campaign for your location:

www.usanpn.org/nn/connect/region

Nature’s Notebook Home: More Ways To Connect• Attend a Webinar• REGISTER!

①Tuesday, March 4, 2014 – PopClock: How do I get started?

What good are my observations?

②Tuesday, March 11, 2014 – How Nature’s Notebook can help

you meet science and outreach goals

③Tuesday, April 8th, 2014 – Botany 101: Plant parts and tricky

phenophases

Photo credit: L. Barnett

QUESTIONS?

Thank you!

LoriAnne [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

LoriAnne [email protected]

@loriannebarnett