Protocols

Field surveys to validate species distribution model predictions by systematically searching grid cells for species presence/absence and comparing to model predictions using statistical performance me...

Deployment of low-cost temperature loggers across elevational transects to measure near-surface air temperature variation in complex terrain. Loggers positioned on north sides of trees for natural rad...

Field experiment comparing seed retention rates between vegetated and nonvegetated sites over multiple time intervals. Seeds manually placed on plants and monitored for dispersal vs. retention over 11...

Weekly recording of tourist counts and golden-mantled ground squirrel roadkill events to analyze correlations between human activity and wildlife vehicle strikes. Linear regression models used to exam...

Systematic field investigation and mapping of vein systems, structural relationships, and ore distributions in mining districts. Includes documentation of fracture patterns, vein orientations, and spa...

High-frame-rate video recording and motion tracking of wild hummingbird aerial courtship displays to quantify dive kinematics and timing. Uses GoPro cameras at 120 fps to capture rapid courtship behav...

Systematic identification of dispersers through newspaper records followed by retrospective family background analysis using census data. Compares family economic and demographic characteristics of lo...

Frequent visits to wild meerkat groups to record births, deaths, emigration, and social status changes over 20 years of continuous observation.

Field surveys to document presence/absence of Thlaspi arvense at butterfly sampling sites using standardized threshold of minimum plant abundance during flowering period.

Field measurement of leaf temperature and air temperature relationships across multiple species and ecosystems to characterize thermal response slopes (β values). Data collection involves simultaneous...

Systematic weekly monitoring of plant phenology, insect abundance, and herbivore impacts on Osha plants along established transects. Includes detailed counts of aphids, ants, and other insects on flow...

Systematic documentation of avalanche occurrence, characteristics, and runout distances over multiple decades to establish baseline hazard patterns and return periods.

A worldwide survey of principal investigators conducting long-term ecological and evolutionary studies to assess attitudes toward data archiving requirements and sharing practices.

A matched pair design comparing scientific productivity outcomes between REU participants and demographically similar non-participating applicants tracked over 5-7 years. Uses multiple data sources to...

Comparative field investigation of military training and battle-zone landscapes to understand relationships between terrain characteristics and combat effectiveness.

Combined structured program documentation, focus groups, and surveys to evaluate remote undergraduate research program implementation and student experiences during COVID-19.

Large-scale examination of museum specimens to characterize geographic variation in polymorphic traits across species ranges

A proposed multi-layered monitoring system for tracking native bee populations, diversity, and trends across the United States. The framework includes specimen collection, taxonomic identification, da...

Long-term documentation of plant species composition and frequency across different community types on a landslide feature

Long-term observation of plant community recovery following wildfire disturbance, focusing on seed bank activation and succession patterns

Systematic transect survey around pond perimeters to document and categorize cattle presence based on visual evidence of fresh tracks, trampling, and defecation signs. Categorized into four ordinal le...

Daily tracking of radio-marked female grouse to locate nests and determine nest success through triangulation and minimal-disturbance monitoring until nest fate determination.

Qualitative field survey to assess the success of riparian habitat restoration through visual observation of vegetation recovery, wildlife activity, and erosion indicators.

A distributed network of six ground-based aerosol measurement stations spanning elevational gradients in mountainous terrain to characterize spatiotemporal variability in atmospheric particles. Each s...

Weekly photography from fixed viewpoints to map snowmelt progression and delineate zones with different snow-free periods. Contours drawn on detailed maps to define study zones.

Long-term individual-based monitoring of unmanaged feral sheep population including annual fecundity and mass measurements. Combined with population census data and climatic indices.

Analysis of fracture patterns, vein orientations, and structural intersections to determine the structural controls on ore deposition and localization of uranium-bearing ore shoots.

Weekly monitoring of flagged individual plants for morphological traits (height, rosette diameter, branching, fruit number) and phenological stage using a 5-point scale from rosette to senescence. Inc...

Standardized federal response protocol for investigating suspected vesicular stomatitis cases involving veterinary reporting, field investigation by trained diagnosticians, laboratory confirmation, an...

Comprehensive network of 17 stream-gauging stations with continuous discharge measurements, water quality sampling, and rating curve development across major tributaries of a mountainous watershed.

Regular weekly surveys to document presence or absence of target species (both plants and animals) across multiple sites and years. Used for detecting broad phenological patterns with lower temporal r...

A meditation-based approach to scientific observation that combines mindful awareness with systematic questioning to develop scientific inquiry skills. Students observe nature without preconceived goa...

Systematic mapping of glacial landforms using aerial photographs corrected for distortion and plotted on controlled base maps. Used to identify and map terminal moraines, glacial striae, and associate...

Use existing citizen science bird observation data from eBird database to characterize bird abundance and diversity patterns across environmental gradients. Data is filtered for quality and geographic...

Automatic Identification Systems tracking vessel location and characteristics in real-time for traffic density analysis.

Identification and mapping of active fault traces and structural features related to ongoing tectonic processes.

Annual counting of American white pelican colonies to monitor population dynamics at Gunnison Island.

Comprehensive archaeological survey and research including reconnaissance, systematic survey, and site evaluation/testing. Long-range program designed to understand area prehistory and adaptive patter...

Assessment of reproduction traits in native and introduced ranges across 7-10 populations from both ranges.

Assessment of Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum prevalence in domestic and wild felid populations.

Annual counting and demographic assessment of prairie dog colonies including counts of sexually mature and immature individuals by age class.

Electronic field data collection using tablet computer with Google Sheets and API integration for real-time data management.

Retrospective review of publicly available Field Safety Notices and Medical Device Alerts from MHRA website from 2006-2010.

Tracking of collared mule deer to identify migration stopover sites and movement patterns. WGFD collared 45 additional mule deer for this study.

Field mapping of volcanic rocks in thirteen 7.5-minute quadrangles combined with petrologic studies and high-resolution age determinations. Includes several hundred new chemical analyses and age deter...

Time-lapse photography using Moultrie M40 cameras mounted at 45° angle to capture plot-level vegetation greenness and calculate Green Chromatic Coordinate values for phenology analysis.

Monitoring of naturally growing vegetative plants marked with metal tags.

Heavily instrumented sites to collect measurements capturing seasonal variations in hydro-biogeochemical processes as a function of landscape position.

Field sampling and geological survey to assess mineral resource potential in wilderness study areas.

National Ecological Observatory Network Airborne Observation Platform flights acquiring LiDAR, imaging spectroscopy, and high-resolution camera imagery.