Phenology Investigation Training Videos

What to Look For?

View example videos of a person narrating their process of collecting data for a variety of protocols along with the rest of our larger Video Data Collection Library.
View Video Data Collection Library HereSee Lab Assessments Here

Please Note: Most videos have been updated Spring 2022 to match revisions to the protocols!

Introduction to the Phenology Investigation

This content is required for every project. It provides an overview of the key concepts, including the project’s purpose, phenology’s appearance and cues, and the importance of ecosystem interactions. (8 min)

1. Milkweed Phenophase Identification

This content is required for every project. It covers identifying Common Milkweed, recognizing some lookalikes, and identifying milkweed’s phenophases, or developmental stages. (5 min)

2. Site Description and Setup

This content is required for every project. It covers identifying good site characteristics, tools for locating a site, selecting target pants to observe, and demonstrates how to fill in different sections of the Site Data Form. (6 min)

3. Herbivory Guide

This content is required for every project. It covers identifying the invertebrates that interact with milkweed and gauging the damage they do to understand the relationship between milkweed phenophase and invertebrate interaction. (7 min)

4.1 Measurements: Leaves & Growth

This content is required for the Phenology & Herbivory and Herbivory Bioassay Projects. It covers counting the number of true vs damaged leaves and measuring growth traits to gauge the current fitness of a plant. (5 min)

4.2 Measurements: Umbels

This content is required for the Phenology & Herbivory and Pollinator Projects. It covers determining which stage the umbels are currently in and estimating the percent of fresh flowers open. (5 min)

4.3 Measurements: Fruit

This content is required for the Phenology & Herbivory Project. It covers classifying the stage of and counting the number of fruit/seed pods as well as identifying the species of milkweed bugs residing on pods. (4 min)

5. Floral Visitors Guide

We are currently working on this video.

6. Seed Collection and Processing Guide

This content is required for the Seed Collection process. It covers how to choose which plants to collect from, when and how to collect seeds, and how to process them, and where to submit them to our seed library. (5 min)

7. Herbivory Bioassay Experiment

This content is required for the Herbivory Bioassay Experiment. It covers how to prepare and plant seeds in 3 cohorts, how to put seedlings out to be exposed to herbivores, and how take measurements. (10 min)

8. Data Entry and Submission

This content is required for any protocol that involves submitting data. It orients participants to the structure of the data sheets and decribes how to check for data validity prior to submission. (5 min)

2022 Educator Workshop Recordings 

This series of videos are recordings of our 2022 summer workshop for educators.  Video 1: Learn about the background to the project, identify ways to teach about indigenous science in a science classroom, and view our discussion of data relevant to the phenology project.  Video 2: Review the methods for the 3 projects to decide which will work in your context and begin to develop your plans.  Video 3. Answering questions, Data Discussion, and Assessment Ideas (the first part of this video is cut off. Sorry!)