October 9, 2013Presented by:Kristine Nga

Program Manager, ClimateWatchEarthwatch Institute (Australia)

Engages people, worldwide, in scientific research and education to promote the understanding and action

necessary for a sustainable environment.

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Earthwatch Mission

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

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Earthwatch Methodology

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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

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Citizen Science – what is it?

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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

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Photo 1 Here2.4” x 3.46”

Photo 2Here2.4” x 3.46”

Hibbertia hypericiodes (Native Buttercup)

Male Malurus splendens(Splendid Fairy-wren)

*Working Group II (Impacts, Adaptation & Vulnerability) to be released in March 2014

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IPCC 4th Assessment Report (2007)*

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ANZ submitted only 6 physical studies out of total 29,000 datasets and no continental biological studies.

The study of periodic plant and animal life cycles events and how these are influenced by seasonal and interannual variations in climate.

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Phenology

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×

×

× Time

First flowering Full flowering End of flowering

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Shift in timing?

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Time

Earlier

××

×

×

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Why monitor these species?

Photo 1 Here2.4” x 3.46”

Photo 2Here2.4” x 3.46”

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Species Field Guide

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ClimateWatch trails

Species/How Many/Behaviour/Comments

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

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How to record using mobile app

• 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.

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Entering data on website

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

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Current work

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+HomeCase 2: Australian National University 2013•Objective: Teach students about the impact of climate change on Australian biodiversity. •Outcome

• Species identification• Data collection• Research

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Snapshot: University partnerships

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Citizen science capacity building

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Where does the data go?

Data is then used by scientists and researchers to help inform policy-makers about conservation and environmental priorities.

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Kristine NgaProgram Manager, ClimateWatchEarthwatch Institute (Australia)knga@earthwatch.org.au

Founding sponsor

Program Partners

Principal sponsor Marine Sponsor