Smartphone-based distributed data collection enables rapid assessment of shorebird habitat suitability
Understanding and managing dynamic coastal landscapes for beach-dependent species requires biological and geological data across the range of relevant environments and habitats. It is difficult to acquire such information; data often have limited focus due to resource constraints, are collected by non-specialists, or lack observational uniformity. We developed an open-source smartphone application called iPlover that addresses these difficulties in collecting biogeomorphic information at piping plover (Charadrius melodus) nest sites on coastal beaches. This paper describes iPlover development and evaluates data quality and utility following two years of collection (n = 1799 data points over 1500 km of coast between Maine and North Carolina, USA). We found strong agreement between field user and expert assessments and high model skill when data were used for habitat suitability prediction. Methods used here to develop and deploy a distributed data collection system have broad applicability to interdisciplinary environmental monitoring and modeling.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2016 |
|---|---|
| Title | Smartphone-based distributed data collection enables rapid assessment of shorebird habitat suitability |
| DOI | 10.1371/journal.pone.0164979 |
| Authors | E. Robert Thieler, Sara L. Zeigler, Luke Winslow, Megan Hines, Jordan S. Read, Jordan I. Walker |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | PLoS ONE |
| Index ID | 70178338 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center |
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Sara L Zeigler, Ph.D
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Megan K Hines
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Rob Thieler, PhD
Center DirectorEmailPhoneSara L Zeigler, Ph.D
Research GeographerEmailPhoneMegan K Hines
Information Technology SpecialistEmailPhoneJordan S Read, PhD (Former Employee)
Chief, Data Science Branch