NABat Newsletter is Live!
Welcome to the first edition of NABat's Monthly Newsletter! These updates will keep NABat partners informed with the latest information and resources, including:
Relevant publications
Monthly FAQs
Review of NABat Coordinator calls
Reports and visuals from the continent-wide NABat database
We want the newsletter to work for you and we welcome your feedback.
File Transfer via Amazon Web Services
NABat users now have the option to submit call files (.wav and .zc) via direct cloud transfer. Currently, user files must be stored in an Amazon S3 bucket to utilize this resource. For more information, contact Ben Gotthold at bgotthold@usgs.gov.
New and Updated Resources
Adding/Exporting Mobile Transect Metadata in Kaleidoscope (new)
Adding/Exporting Mobile Transect Metadata in SonoBat (new)
Adding/Exporting Stationary Acoustic Metadata in Kaleidoscope (updated)
Check out all of the NABat resources here!
New USGS Online Publication Highlights NABat
Check out the latest USGS fact sheet to learn how the collective effort of NABat partners is informing management and conservation of North American bats:
New Survey123 Data Collection Tool in Development for NABat Partners
NABat is developing a new tool to help users collect and submit data in the field! Using Esri’s Survey123 platform, data contributors will soon have the ability to record NABat data from a mobile device and submit those data directly to their NABat project page.
The app provides a simple interface with user-friendly features like guidance on how to record data and drop-down menus for categorical entries. You can even record the GPS location using your mobile device. Simply arrive at the site, access the app, and record the data. After submitting the survey, data will be uploaded directly to your NABat project. At launch, users will be able to submit full data (site metadata and count metadata) uploads for colony count surveys and site metadata uploads for stationary acoustics.
The use of Survey123 requires an Esri ArcGIS Online (AGOL) account. NABat will provide accounts for all users who wish to utilize this new tool. We are actively seeking individuals to test out the app before a full launch this summer. For more information or to request access, contact James Cox at jhcox@contractor.usgs.gov.
FAQs: March
Q: There are no priority GRTS cells in my area, but I'm interested in contributing data to NABat. Do you want data from non-priority cells?
A: Yes. When setting up your project, use the NABat cell selection tool to choose all the GRTS cells within the area you plan to work. Once they've been added to the table on the right side of the screen, use the GRTS cell number to claim the highest priority cells within your area for survey (lower GRTS number = higher priority). Detailed guidance on using the cell selection tool is available here. Data from non-priority cells is still valuable and will help inform NABat models.
Q: I've been collecting acoustic data in my area for years, but my methods don't match those outlined in the Plan for NABat. Should I contribute my data anyway? If so, what kind of project should I create (legacy or NABat)?
A: NABat encourages users to contribute any and all monitoring data they have collected. While some of these data may not be used in our occupancy analyses, they can be used in a number of other ways, including for Bayesian priors. All monitoring data is valuable and informative, and NABat strives to be the centralized database for all North American bat monitoring data, however it was collected. When determining whether to establish a legacy project or a NABat project, the primary consideration should be whether you plan to continue monitoring the cells. If you only wish to contribute historical data, a legacy project is most appropriate. If you plan to continue monitoring, in most instances, a NABat project is most appropriate. However, if you plan to continue monitoring, we strongly encourage you to consider the NABat methodology going forward so that the data can be fully incorporated into regional and continental analyses.
Q: I have data for a cell that I will no longer be monitoring. Should I deselect the cell or maintain the cell as claimed by my project? Is it OK to upload data for a cell that I haven't claimed?
A: If you do not plan to continue monitoring a cell, deselect that cell so that others will know it is available for future monitoring, even if you plan to upload past data for that cell. Regardless of cell status, NABat will have access to the data and can use it for trends analyses. The purpose of claiming a cell is, in part, to prevent duplication of effort and to inform other users of which cells still need to be monitored. The status of the cell will have no impact on how the data is treated by NABat. However, when establishing a new project, it is important to select a reason for not monitoring cells within your area of interest because this will help inform NABat of inaccessible cells that can be removed from consideration in the statistical sample.
Check out all of the frequently asked questions here!
March 2020 NABat Coordinator Call
Date/Time: Tuesday, March 3, 2020 @1PM (MT)
Agenda:
1. Update on NABat colony count data collation and analyses – Tina Cheng
2. Colony Count data visualizations and reporting – Brian Reichert
3. New guidance documents for mobile transect data management – Dane Smith
4. NABat Survey 123 app – James Cox
5. NABat Newsletter going LIVE starting this month! – James Cox
6. Cloud to Cloud transfer of acoustic recordings now possible – Dane Smith
Notes: March 2020 Coordinator Call Zoom video Next call: Thursday, April 9, 2020 Tara Hohoff will be presenting on NABat work in Illinois. Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/606607403
Meeting ID: 606 607 403 Password: 008883
One tap mobile +19292056099,,606607403# US (New York) +16699006833,,606607403# US (San Jose) Dial by your location +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acw
NABat Resource of the Month
NABat File Renamer tool
The NABat File Renamer (pictured below) enables users to quickly and intuitively rename acoustic files to meet NABat naming conventions. It includes several methods for easily changing/removing unsupported characters, adding underscores, or inserting GRTS IDs and site names. The tool even creates a compressed .tar.gz file for uploading acoustic files to NABat!
Check out the NABat File Renamer tool here!
Upcoming Events
2020 Midwest Bat Working Group Annual Meeting
April 6-7, 2020
Runge Nature Center
Jefferson City, MO
1st Annual Southwest Bat Hub Partner’s Meeting
April 21-22, 2020
USFWS New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office
Albuquerque, NM
North American Society for Bat Research 2020 Symposium
October 28-31, 2020
Tempe, AZ
NABat Quick Fact
7,144,083
That's how many total stationary acoustic calls have been contributed to NABat across the continent.
Subscribe to the NABat Newsletter!
To subscribe to the newsletter, or to submit news items for consideration, contact James Cox at jhcox@contractor.usgs.gov
17 vues0 commentaire
