We are keeping track of all the monitoring programs focused on butterflies and hope to include all those in North America in our network. This effort includes keeping track of all the protocols used by the various monitoring programs. We use this information to encourage programs to standardize as much as possible, identify best practices, and develop resources so new programs can implement best practice protocols from the start.
Special Projects
Monitor Tracker
Data Entry and Management Support
A major goal of the Butterfly Network is to make sure that ALL butterfly monitoring programs have the data entry and management support they need so they can focus their energy on the reason they started these projects - working with the public to help collect butterfly data! In our inaugural meeting in 2012, we identified the needs of regional butterfly monitoring programs (e.g., Illinois, Michigan, etc.) to allow for effective management of historic and current data. As a group, we decided to create a shared portal for data entry and management and, ultimately, visualization and sharing tools. Our data management site PollardBase was launched in 2014, and now supports 23 butterfly monitoring networks through program-specific "instances" of our data management database.
We have also worked closely with NABA to develop a data management and download tool to improve data curation and sharing of butterfly data from various NABA programs.
Detectability Data Gathering
Using detectability modeling (estimating the probability of observing a species assuming it is present) has greatly improved models of monitoring data. Butterfly detectability is highly influenced by weather, and we continue to develop tools to better estimate how different factors impact detectability. Monitoring transects can tweak their protocols to gather invaluable data that can be used to model detectability. Specifically, the Cascades Monitoring Network and the Illinois Monitoring Network have conducted targeted monitoring to collect detectability data for use in our statistical models.
Resources for Scientific Exploration
In addition to our goals relative to supporting monitoring programs by developing data systems and promoting data sharing and visualization, we have additional efforts to further scientific research.
The Georgetown Lab of Butterfly Informatics team led the development of LepTraits 1.0: the largest, global dataset of Lepidopteran traits, focused on butterflies (ca. 12,500 species records). These traits are derived from field guides, taxonomic treatments, and other literature resources. It incorporates traits on wing size, phenology, voltinism, diapause/overwintering stage, hostplant associations, and habitat affinities (canopy, edge, moisture, and disturbance). This dataset facilitates comparative research on butterfly ecology and evolution. LepTraits 1.0 was published in 2022, and we are currently working on an update to this traits database.
Our network is also involved in the development of rigorous statistical tools for analysis of these and other invertebrate data. Collaborations between Georgetown University, Michigan State University, and University of Florida have advanced our ability to account for weather, phenology, and other factors to better estimate population status and trajectory for insects such as butterflies. In addition, this network has provided considerable data to the USGS Status of Butterflies in the United States working group.
We continue to work toward improving the flow of data from providers to users, always looking for how to improve the Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability of datasets and analytical tools.
Visualization and Download Tools
In creating this network for butterfly monitoring programs, the primary focus has been bringing programs together to build community, develop a shared framework for metadata and documentation, and share resources. Building on this collaboration, we have worked to develop systems for data entry and data management that can accomodate a wide range of programs and users. The Georgetown Lab of Butterfly Informatics also supports programs wishing to clean and upload historical data, and provides tools for program managers to easily access their data for reporting and sharing.
We look forward to future development to allow real-time visualizations of butterfly data across monitoring programs, in alignment with each program's specific data sharing protocols. NABA's Count program is the oldest and largest (in terms of geographic extent) butterfly monitoring program in the world. There is a high demand to be able to easily visualize patterns in that 40 year data set and improve access to individual count reports.
Climate Modeling Platform
Climate data that is relevant to the modeling of the distribution and abundance of butterflies in now available on both continental and global scales. We are particularly interested in daily climate data because these are often required for many of the most relevant questions about butterfly dynamics. We are seeking support to build an interactive platform to be able to integrate butterfly and climate data across spatiotemporal scales.