Domain-centric Domain-centric observation networks: observation networks: Experiences gained from Experiences gained from the Avian Knowledge the Avian Knowledge NetworkNetwork

Denis LepageDenis Lepage

Bird Studies CanadaBird Studies Canada

Avian Knowledge Avian Knowledge NetworkNetwork Network of North American Network of North American

Institutions collecting or using Institutions collecting or using information on bird populationsinformation on bird populations

Many dozens of data providers Many dozens of data providers and already several active nodesand already several active nodes

50-60 million records currently 50-60 million records currently available (Oct. 2008)available (Oct. 2008)

A.K.N. is A.K.N. is notnot an an abbreviation for abbreviation for AeKidNaAeKidNa::

Goals of the AKNGoals of the AKN

Organize heterogeneous datasets on birds through a network of AKN nodes

Provide long-term archive and redundancy

Make those datasets accessible in a common format

Facilitate and create analysis and visualizations

AKN nodesAKN nodesCornell Lab of Ornithology Point Reyes Bird Observatory

Bird Studies Canada

Roles of the nodesRoles of the nodes

Primary data custodians (data Primary data custodians (data quality, metadata, etc.)quality, metadata, etc.)

Act as data brokers for partnersAct as data brokers for partners Access points for raw dataAccess points for raw data Portal for real-time data analyses Portal for real-time data analyses

and summary presentationsand summary presentations Analyses tools based on AKN Analyses tools based on AKN

standardsstandards

Bird Monitoring Data Bird Monitoring Data Exchange Schema Exchange Schema (BMDE)(BMDE) Extension of DarwinCore schemaExtension of DarwinCore schema

– Protocol fieldsProtocol fields– EffortEffort– Unique identifiers (eg, Unique identifiers (eg,

SamplingEvent)SamplingEvent) Absence dataAbsence data Probabilities / Relative abundanceProbabilities / Relative abundance

Mapping abundanceMapping abundance

Breeding Evidence (presence/absence)

Relative Abundance from Point Counts

http://www.naturecounts.ca

BMDE

Cornell Labof Ornithology

Bird StudiesCanada

Point ReyesBird Observatory

Etc.

Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory

AKN Nodes

Mapping &Summaries

Data AccessPortal

Analysis Packages

Web Reporting

Publications