Science and Management Advancements Made Possible by the USA National Phenology Network's Nature's Notebook Platform

Abstract

The USA National Phenology Network was established in 2007 to formalize standardized phenology monitoring across the country. The aims of the network are to collect, store, and share phenology data and information to support scientific discovery, decision-making, an appreciation for phenology, and equitable engagement within the network. To support these aims, the network launched Nature's Notebook, a rigorous platform for monitoring plant and animal phenology, in 2009. Since the launch of Nature's Notebook, participants across the country have contributed over 30 million phenology records. The participants range from backyard observers with an interest in nature to researchers and natural resource managers asking specific questions. We survey the breadth of studies and applied decisions that have used Nature's Notebook and the consequent data. The dimensionality of the data set maintained by the network is a function of Nature's Notebook users; this insight is key to shaping the network’s future data collection activities.

Sex-dependent phenological responses to climate vary across species’ ranges

“…Community science observations can harbor biases as well. For instance, observation frequency can be variable and biased toward weekends, and the duration of participation can vary greatly across volunteers ( 120 , 121 ). NPN provides extensive training materials and specific guidelines for making phenological observations, and local phenology projects often provide additional hands-on training and support.…”

Ten best practices for effective phenological research

“…Observers may favor or avoid rare species (Daru et al 2018 ; Callaghan et al 2019 ). Or observers may favor some phenophases over others (e.g., insect flight times rather than larval development) (Rosemartin et al 2018 ; Crimmins et al 2022 ). In many cases, logistical constraints may dictate preference for observing certain life stages; for example, phenology of immature seabirds, migratory whales, and larval stages of many fish and invertebrate species are difficult to observe (Staudinger et al 2019 ; Pendleton et al 2022 ).…”

Cap. 8. Ecosistemas, servicios ecosistémicos y biodiversidad. En: La Quinta Evaluación Nacional del Clima.

“…27,50 Actividades científicas dirigidas por la comunidad ("ciudadanas"), como iNaturalist 51 y la Red Nacional de Fenología de Estados Unidos. 52 , junto con redes de seguimiento comunitarias 53 y poseedores de conocimientos indígenas (KM 16.3) 54 , también recopilan observaciones en zonas extensas 55 y han ayudado a detectar alteraciones en la distribución, la abundancia y la fenología de las especies 56,57,58 .…”