NABMN

GOAL 2: standardize protocols and data as much as possible

Our network of monitoring programs includes multiple protocols with substantial variation between and even within types. Our goal is not to try to shoehorn all the projects into one standard, but we will standardize where possible and keep track of differences.

Part of this effort will include developing data standards, which we go into more detail in our data management systems page. Other standardization goals include standardizing protocols and resolving taxonomies.

STANDARDIZING PROTOCOLS: Our goal is to standardize protocols as much as possible among the transect programs. For instance, most programs follow some modified version of a "Pollard walk" (left) and define set routes (example route map shown). Where standardization isn’t possible, we will be capturing differences in detailed program and metadata descriptions. We will also attempt to align our protocols with more recent changes in Europe.

RESOLVING TAXONOMIES: Most programs haven’t formally adopted a taxonomic standard, but most use the NABA checklist, or a modified version. The Pelham system is another standard. We are encouraging groups to adopt or adapt a standard, and we will build a tool to resolve differences between standards so data are comparable.

GOAL 1: to track all North American monitoring projects and strive to include all programs in our network

GOAL 2: to strandardize protocols and data as much as possible

GOAL 3: to develop or enhance data management systems

GOAL 4: to build data download and visualization tools

GOAL 5: to expand program participation

Comments and questions should be directed to Leslie Ries (lries@umd.edu)

This project is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF award 1147049) to the University of Maryland and the Socio-environmental Synthesis Center.