Mapping the premigration distribution of eastern Monarch butterflies using community science data

Dehaghi, Iman Momeni; Bennett, Joseph; Mitchell, Greg W.; Rytwinski, Trina; Fahrig, Lenore

doi:10.1002/ece3.7912

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…However, other proxies of monarch age, such as wing shape and size (Altizer & Davis, 2010) and wing pigmentation (Satterfield & Davis, 2014), could confirm that the samples are from the fifth generation. Recent studies have shown that monarchs in Texas can represent a non‐negligible proportion (~5%) of the pre‐migratory population (Momeni‐Dehaghi et al., 2021), and that up to 18% of migratory monarchs sampled in Texas from October to December are reproductive (i.e. not in diapause, as would be expected if they were migratory; Satterfield et al., 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Continuous‐surface geographic assignment of migratory animals using strontium isotopes: A case study with monarch butterflies

et al. 2021

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1. Strontium isotope ratios (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) have shown promise for tracing the geographic origin of animal tissues because they have high-resolution and show discrete spatial patterns independent and complementary to those of light isotopes. In this study, we provide a complete quantitative framework to apply ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr for tracking migratory animals using the eastern North American population of monarch butterflies Danaus plexippus as a case study.2. To enable continuous-surface geographic assignment using ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, we recommend following five key steps: (a) assessing feasibility, (b) sample collection, (c) laboratory analysis, (d) modelling the isoscape and (e) geographic assignment.We provide a detailed outline of these steps and then focus on steps 3-5 for the case study. For monarchs, using an extensive plant ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr dataset (n = 400), geospatial data and a machine learning approach, we first calibrate a regional, high-resolution ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isoscape (i.e. a baseline for ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr assignment) over their eastern North American summer breeding range. We then use the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isoscape to estimate the posterior probability surface of natal origin for 100 monarchs of unknown origin.3. Our results demonstrate that ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr can greatly improve the precision of isotope-based geographic assignment. Furthermore, combining δ 2 H and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr into a dual assignment provides the most constrained area of natal origin.4. We provide a framework for ecologists and palaeoecologists to apply ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Srbased geographic assignments for animal movement studies using contemporary or archived samples. The addition of the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr assignment tool will enhance our ability to study migration and dispersal in a wide variety of animals.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Continuous‐surface geographic assignment of migratory animals using strontium isotopes: A case study with monarch butterflies

et al. 2021

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“…Still, the number of observations in this study is lower than one might expect for a widespread and charismatic species (cf. Momeni‐Dehaghi et al., 2021 ; Ries et al., 2015 ). While community science is an effective tool for engaging the public and increasing sampling effort, it is not a panacea for limited data (Devictor et al., 2010 ; Kremen et al., 2011 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Limited knowledge of monarch butterfly distribution and habitat use during early spring makes it difficult to identify regions for targeted monitoring. For example, before our study, sighting databases included fewer than 100 relevant observations during this period (see Section 2 , below), compared to ~10,000 sightings used to evaluate eastern monarch distribution during fall (Momeni‐Dehaghi et al., 2021 ). This difference in data availability probably reflects in part the much larger population size of eastern monarch butterflies (nearly 100 million overwintering monarchs in the east compared to hundreds of thousands in the West; Schultz et al., 2017 ; Thogmartin, Wiederholt, et al., 2017 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using community science to map western monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) in spring

Erickson,

Jason,

Machiorlete

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

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Migratory animals follow seasonal cycles comprising linked phases often with different habitat requirements and demographic processes. Conservation of migratory species therefore must consider the full seasonal cycle to identify points limiting population viability. For western monarch butterflies, which have experienced significant declines, early spring is considered a critical period in the annual population cycle. However, records of western monarchs in early spring, when overall abundance is lowest, have historically been extremely limited. We used a community science initiative, the Western Monarch Mystery Challenge, to collect data on monarch distribution throughout the western United States between February 14th and April 22nd over 3 years. Using data from the Western Monarch Mystery Challenge and iNaturalist, we identified potential breeding habitat for western monarchs in early spring that spanned a large geographic area and several ecoregions. We observed monarchs in early spring that likely eclosed in the current year, suggesting that population expansion from overwintering sites reflects both movement and population growth. The number of records of western monarchs from early spring was higher during the Mystery Challenge (33.0/year) than earlier years (5.1/year). This study demonstrates the potential for and limitations of community science to increase our understanding of species at points in the life cycle when they are rare.

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“…However, the premigration distribution and the natal origins of overwintering Monarchs (i.e. postmigration data) can be considered equivalent only if we assume that Monarchs originated from different regions have a similar mortality rate during their migration (Momeni‐Dehaghi et al 2021).…”

Section: Presentation Summariesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In his talk, Momeni‐Dehaghi demonstrated how the premigration map they developed using community science data can contribute to the conservation of Monarch butterflies (Momeni‐Dehaghi et al 2021). To estimate Monarchs' premigration distribution, the authors used data reported by citizen scientists in the Journey North program (http://www.journeynorth.org/) before Monarchs start their fall migration (i.e.…”

Section: Presentation Summariesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Minimizing Data Waste: Conservation in the Big Data Era

Binley

Edwards

Dansereau

et al. 2023

Bulletin Ecologic Soc America

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Session motivation and objectivesAdvances in computing, statistics, and technology over the past few decades has resulted in the accumulation of massive amounts of biodiversity data, as well as novel methods for using and integrating them (Miller et al. 2019). Data that have been collected for decades or even centuries can now be analyzed and applied in brand new ways. These data include alternative sources of information such as citizen science (also called community science) programs (Butcher et al. 1990, Sullivan et al. 2014, Hudson et al. 2017). In the midst of a global biodiversity crisis, these databases may hold the key to detecting important obstacles and threats to conservation, as well as determining the best interventions before it is too late. The ecological processes in question frequently occur across broad spatial and temporal scales; migratory species' ranges can span thousands of kilometers, and the impacts of threats such as climate change cannot necessarily be assessed on a local scale. Conventional methods of biodiversity monitoring may therefore be inadequate in the face of broad scale change. The individual researcher can generally only collect data on a localized scale, yet with the proper data practices, this information can contribute to a better understanding of the bigger picture (Sutherland et al. 2009).

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Mapping the premigration distribution of eastern Monarch butterflies using community science data

Cited by 6 publications

References 34 publications

Continuous‐surface geographic assignment of migratory animals using strontium isotopes: A case study with monarch butterflies

Continuous‐surface geographic assignment of migratory animals using strontium isotopes: A case study with monarch butterflies

Using community science to map western monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) in spring

Minimizing Data Waste: Conservation in the Big Data Era

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