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October 9, 2013. Presented by: Kristine Nga Program Manager, ClimateWatch Earthwatch Institute (Australia). Earthwatch Mission. Engages people, worldwide, in scientific research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. ClimateWatch.
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October 9, 2013 Presented by: Kristine Nga Program Manager, ClimateWatch Earthwatch Institute (Australia)
Earthwatch Mission Engages people, worldwide, in scientific research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. ClimateWatch
Earthwatch Methodology • Work in partnership to: • support independent, peer-reviewed scientific research • engage people in hands-on field research within rigorously designed, scientifically validated, procedures • promote science-based conservation and sustainable management practices • engage, inspire and motivate action resulting in changed behaviours for a sustainable planet ClimateWatch
Citizen Science – what is it? The systematic collection and analysis of data; development of technology; testing of natural phenomena; and the dissemination of these activities by researchers on a primarily avocational basis. Source: Atlas of Living Australia ClimateWatch
ClimateWatch • ClimateWatch allows every Australian to help shape our country’s scientific response to climate change. • It utilises the study of phenology to engage citizen scientists to help collect data on Australian flora and fauna. • What is it? – which species • Where was it? – location it was seen • When was it there? – date of the observation • How was it behaving? – nesting, flowering, calling Photo 1Here2.4” x 3.46” Photo 2Here2.4” x 3.46” Male Malurus splendens (Splendid Fairy-wren) Hibbertia hypericiodes (Native Buttercup) ClimateWatch
IPCC 4th Assessment Report (2007)* ANZ submitted only 6 physical studies out of total 29,000 datasets and no continental biological studies. *Working Group II (Impacts, Adaptation & Vulnerability) to be released in March 2014 ClimateWatch
Phenology The study of periodic plant and animal life cycles events and how these are influenced by seasonal and interannual variations in climate. × × × Time Full flowering First flowering End of flowering ClimateWatch
Shift in timing? Earlier × × × × Time ClimateWatch
Why monitor these species? ClimateWatch
Photo 1Here2.4” x 3.46” Photo 2Here2.4” x 3.46” ClimateWatch
Species Field Guide ClimateWatch
ClimateWatch trails Species/How Many/Behaviour/Comments ClimateWatch
How to record using mobile app • Download iPhone app (iTunes store) & Android (Google Play store) now • Sign into account • Select species • Species info provided • Record sighting • GPS and date/time recorded • Ability to take a photo • Phenophases are loaded automatically for each species • Sightings are synced to web account and can edit on website • *Requires 3G or wifi, but will store sightings for later if in poor reception area ClimateWatch
Entering data on website • Similar to mobile app, type in species name and species fields automatically loaded. • Use address locater to pinpoint location or type in GPS coordinates. • If site is frequented often (i.e. backyard), save as ‘My location’ for next time. ClimateWatch
Current work • ClimateWatch has partnered with Royal Botanic Gardens, Scouts, universities, EECs, MDCs, and corporate sponsors to deliver the program. • 10 universities , totaling xx students • 50+ trails • Over 45,000 sightings and over 9500 users ClimateWatch
Snapshot: University partnerships • Case 1: University of Western Australia Pilot 2011-2012 • Objective: Teach students about species identification , climate change and importance of citizen science in collecting reliable data • Outcome • Species identification • Experimental design • Data collection and analysis, map-making • Learned about the impact of climate change on biodiversity • Writing peer-reviewed journal articles (Available online: http://cygnus-biologystudentjournal.wikispaces.com/Journal+Home • Case 2: Australian National University 2013 • Objective: Teach students about the impact of climate change on Australian biodiversity. • Outcome • Species identification • Data collection • Research ClimateWatch
Citizen science capacity building ClimateWatch
Where does the data go? Data is then used by scientists and researchers to help inform policy-makers about conservation and environmental priorities. ClimateWatch
Kristine Nga Program Manager, ClimateWatch Earthwatch Institute (Australia) knga@earthwatch.org.au Program Partners Principal sponsor Marine Sponsor Founding sponsor ClimateWatch