Features Archive
- The AKN now accepts bird banding data!
- Up to this point, the Avian Knowledge Network (AKN) had accepted only field observations of birds, and did not provide a schema adequate to describe the additional complexity of bird banding datasets. With the release of a banding extension to the Bird Monitoring Data Exchange (BMDE-Banding version 1.38), we now accept bird banding data as well! The extension adds some 485 fields to the BMDE (for a total of 515 fields) and allow us to describe in detail almost every measurement contained in bird banding data sets.
- AKN Session at the 4th International Partners in Flight Conference
- An Avian Knowledge Network (AKN) session was held during the Fourth International Partners in Flight (PIF) Conference in McAllen, Texas 13-16 February 2008. Presenters came from diverse backgrounds that included academic institutions, non-government organizations, and governmental agencies, and presented a functioning data management strategy that supports bird conservation and research. Presentations encompassed data management, community participation, and examples of data visualization, exploration and analysis. The PIF AKN session did not describe a data management strategy that simply stores data in a central database repository with limited access. Instead a comprehensive and dynamic data resource has been developed, which has become the foundation for a variety of tools, features, and explorations that support the goals of PIF. Closing discussions emphasized ways that the AKN can further PIF high-priority needs in: Capacity Building; Education, Communication and Outreach; Public Policy; Research and Inventory and Monitoring.
- BMDE Version 1.38 released
- With the addition of the banding extension (BMDE-Banding version 1.38) to the Bird Monitoring Data Exchange (BMDE), we have also expanded the BMDE to include some additional fields that were necessary to fully describe avian datasets. This expansion takes the BMDE from 111 fields in version 1.35 to the current total of 130 fields in version 1.38.
- California Avian Data Center: The first AKN node
- PRBO Conservation Science (PRBO) is leading the establishment of the California Avian Data Center (CADC; www.prbo.org/cadc)--a collaborative, web-based integration of bird and ecosystem datasets to provide practical, broadly-accessible, web-based tools and applications for improved conservation outcomes. Its goal is to make timely and relevant scientific data and analyses readily accessible to habitat managers, policy makers, conservation practitioners, researchers, students, and the public.
- Learn to Conduct Data-mining Analyses With AKN Data
- The philosophy behind data-mining and the software used to conduct data-mining analyses are relatively unfamiliar to ecologists, compared to statistical analysis and software. As a result, we have written a paper describing the philosophy behind data-mining, and provided some basic examples of the types of insights that can be gained from data mining (Aug 2007 issue of the Journal of Wildlife Management). This paper, however, does not provide the “nuts and bolts” information needed for someone to learn to to actually conduct a data-mining analysis. Thus, we have produced an set of example computer code and a sample data set, which can be used by someone to learn how to conduct data-mining analyses.
- Leon Levy Foundation Grant Supports AKN Grad Student Research
- The Levy Foundation grant will fund the work of Cornell University graduate student Daria Sorokina. She has developed a new technique for creating more accurate computer models using AKN data. These models help scientists understand the complicated relationship between birds and thousands of features in the environment the affect them, such as trees, water, predators, and food. By combining these variables with massive numbers of bird observations, scientists see large scale patterns that could not be found otherwise. These patterns can then be visualized with maps.
- Learn More About the AKN With a Powerpoint Presentation!
- The AKN is part of a dynamic web environment driven by technology and discovery. At the AKN we are continually upgrading the site and the application. The basic concept of the AKN remains constant throughout--to explore the factors influencing bird populations on the global scale. With this powerpoint, you can learn more about the goals and functionality of the Avian Knowledge Network.
- AKN Website Overhaul
- The new AKN website is designed to provide improved intuitive access to AKN resources. New features include expanded data download functionality including prepackaged zip files, improved access to descriptive metadata, expanded information on partners, and more detailed information on how to contribute data to the AKN.
- Watch Purple Martin Migration on the Continental Scale!
- For the first time we are able to visualize the movements of an entire population of birds by using observational data collected through eBird and analyzed through the AKN. Purple Martins are a familiar species to many eastern birders as they breed in many locations across eastern North America. In winter, however, the Purple Martin vacates North America. Interestingly, the closely related Tree Swallow employs similar migration strategies but has much different timing. Compare the migrations of these amazing birds move south by viewing the animated maps band graphs below.
- Data Visualization
- A major contribution that the Avian Knowledge Network will make is the ability to provide data visualizations via maps, graphs, and tables. These visualizations provide a comprehensive exploration of the data resources of the AKN. Our goal is to allow users (from teachers to land managers, or researchers to politicians) to interactively access AKN data resources.
- Exploratory Analysis for House Finch
- We have performed preliminary analyses on data from Project Feeder Watch in order to determine the factors that affect the presence or absence of House Finches (Carpodacus mexicanus). The House Finch was selected because we know enough about this species to verify the results from these analyses.
- Visualizing Predictor Effects With Partial Dependence Plots
- Article describing the use of partial dependence to uncover predictor effects.
- Visualizing Dynamics of Wild Birds
- The Irruptive Winter Migration of American Goldfinch
- Project Feeder Watch Exploratory Analysis
- A detailed description of the methods used for our exploratory analysis.