scholarly journals Standards and Best Practices for Monitoring and Benchmarking Insects

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham A. Montgomery ◽  
Michael W. Belitz ◽  
Rob P. Guralnick ◽  
Morgan W. Tingley
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Light Trapping ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Monitoring Methods ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽  
Ecological Responses ◽  
Insect Populations ◽  
Insect Monitoring

Benchmark studies of insect populations are increasingly relevant and needed amid accelerating concern about insect trends in the Anthropocene. The growing recognition that insect populations may be in decline has given rise to a renewed call for insect population monitoring by scientists, and a desire from the broader public to participate in insect surveys. However, due to the immense diversity of insects and a vast assortment of data collection methods, there is a general lack of standardization in insect monitoring methods, such that a sudden and unplanned expansion of data collection may fail to meet its ecological potential or conservation needs without a coordinated focus on standards and best practices. To begin to address this problem, we provide simple guidelines for maximizing return on proven inventory methods that will provide insect benchmarking data suitable for a variety of ecological responses, including occurrence and distribution, phenology, abundance and biomass, and diversity and species composition. To track these responses, we present seven primary insect sampling methods—malaise trapping, light trapping, pan trapping, pitfall trappings, beating sheets, acoustic monitoring, and active visual surveys—and recommend standards while highlighting examples of model programs. For each method, we discuss key topics such as recommended spatial and temporal scales of sampling, important metadata to track, and degree of replication needed to produce rigorous estimates of ecological responses. We additionally suggest protocols for scalable insect monitoring, from backyards to national parks. Overall, we aim to compile a resource that can be used by diverse individuals and organizations seeking to initiate or improve insect monitoring programs in this era of rapid change.

IMPLEMENTASI SISTEM APLIKASI KEUANGAN TINGKAT INSTANSI DI MASA PANDEMI COVID-19 PADA KPPN PALEMBANG

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurmalia Hasanah ◽  
Sriyani Sriyani
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
Financial Management ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Management Process ◽  
Directorate General ◽  
Speed Up ◽  
The Government ◽  
Sophisticated Technology

The Covid-19 pandemic necessitates a rapid change to the digital age. Currently, the Directorate General of Treasury continues to make policies that refer to the principles of E-government by developing the direction of transactions that occur in the government. One of them is the launch of SAKTI, which has been specifically designed to simplify and speed up the financial management process from planning to budget accountability, which consists of nine modules integrated into one database (single database) within the scope of the work unit. This study uses qualitative methods, data collection is done by interviewing parties related to the use of the SAKTI application and observations at KPPN Palembang. This research is expected to provide an overview of the implementation of SAKTI at KPPN Palembang. The result of this research is that the Expenditure Treasurer of KPPN Palembang as the operator of the Treasurer Module has implemented the SAKTI Treasurer Module properly according to the laws and regulations and does not mix with SILABI. Since the use of SAKTI desktop, switching to SAKTI Web has made it easier for treasurers to administer the money they manage online. However, the development of increasingly sophisticated technology must be a challenge and motivation in developing SAKTI. In addition, the quality and competence operator SAKTI is also very important and necessary in achieving the successful implementation of SAKTI.

The Understanding and Implementation of Key Best Practices in National Park Service Education Programs

2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin A. “Kale” Bowling
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
Inquiry Based Learning ◽  
Education Professionals ◽  
Park Service ◽  
The Common ◽  
Interpretive Practices

U.S. national parks provide excellent venues for learning experiences in history and the sciences with tangible, primary resources. However, best practices associated with experiential and inquiry-based learning targeted specifically toward students, as opposed to interpretive practices for the general public, must be both well understood and well implemented to be effective. This action research study was undertaken in order to identify where and why gaps in the understanding and implementation of these best practices exist. A survey of 25 NPS educators revealed that they are being implemented approximately half of the time. Significant gaps exist between staff with academic training and/or prior work experience in education and those without this background. Follow-up interviews suggested that changes in the recruitment of new educators and the increased availability of training, networking, and coaching may increase the prevalence of experiential and inquiry based practices. Efforts that leverage education professionals outside the agency, the expertise of more successful park education programs, and the common concepts between education and interpretation may be particularly effective. Other agencies and organizations that conduct both interpretation and education may also benefit from similar actions.

scholarly journals Emotional Intelligence a Critical Factor in Organizational Performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 10-39
Author(s):  
Neeta Baporikar
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Individual Performance ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Research Paradigm ◽  
Interpretative Research

The objective of this study is to understand how employee EI is a critical factor for improved organizational performance. Adopting a qualitative approach with a case study research design, a sample of 40 employees was selected from the organization; data collection was done through a questionnaire after pilot testing. An analysis is done using SPSS, within an interpretative research paradigm using thematic analyses. Findings reflect that understanding and knowledge on EI and its influence on the performance may add value to the organization as employees become aware of the best practices and contribute better for organizational performance. Further, it was also noted that EI is a significant predictor of job and organizational performance only if it is advocated and spearheaded through individual performance classified into the task and contextual performance.

Best Practices

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward J. Mullen ◽  
Jennifer L. Bellamy ◽  
Sarah E. Bledsoe
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Organizational Management ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Management Literature ◽  
Systems Quality

This entry describes best practices as these are used in social work. The term best practices originated in the organizational management literature in the context of performance measurement and quality improvement where best practices are defined as the preferred technique or approach for achieving a valued outcome. Identification of best practices requires measurement, benchmarking, and identification of processes that result in better outcomes. The identification of best practices requires that organizations put in place quality data collection systems, quality improvement processes, and methods for analyzing and benchmarking pooled provider data. Through this process, organizational learning and organizational performance can be improved.

The Grounding Zone of Thwaites Glacier Explored by Icefin

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Britney Schmidt ◽  
Keith Nicholls ◽  
Peter Davis ◽  
James Smith ◽  
Kiya Riverman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Complex Geometry ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Sea Floor ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
In Situ Data ◽  
Ice Conditions ◽  
Basal Melting

<p>Icefin performed the first long range robotic exploration of the grounding zone of Thwaites Glacier from January 9-12 2020. Icefin was part of the MELT project of the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration deployed to the grounding zone of Thwaites Glacier, West Antarctica over the period December 2019-February 2020.<span>  </span>MELT is an interdisciplinary project to explore rapid change across the grounding zone, and in particular basal melting.<span>  </span>The subglacial cavity ~2km north of the grounding zone was accessed via hot water drilling on January 7-8, 2020.<span>  </span>Icefin, a hybrid autonomous and remotely operated underwater vehicle designed for sub-ice and borehole operations, conducted over 15km of round-trip data collection under the ice along a section of the glacier from the grounding zone extending to a point 4 km oceanward. <span>  </span>The vehicle collected data with ten different science sensors including cameras, sonars, conductivity/temperature and dissolved oxygen.<span>  </span>Overall, the water column ranged from ~100m downstream that narrowed quickly to an average of 50m that spanned over 2km, to a long segment of ~30m thickness before quickly narrowing over 500m towards the grounding zone. The seafloor structures run roughly parallel to ice flow direction, consisting of furrows, ridges, and grooves in some cases mirrored by the ice structure. The Icefin dives revealed a diverse set of basal ice conditions, with complex geometry, including a range of terraced features, smooth ablated surfaces, crevassing, sediment rich layers of varying kinds, as well as interspersed clear, potentially accreted freshwater ice.<span>  </span>The ocean directly beneath the ice varies spatially, from moderately well-mixed near the grounding zone to highly stratified within and below concavities in the ice downstream.<span>  </span>Sediments along the sea floor range from fine grained downstream to course angular gravel near the grounding zone distributed between larger boulders.<span>  </span>We observed rocky material in the ice that ranged from fine grained layers compressed within the ice to small angular particles volumetrically distributed within ice, to gravel and cobbles, as well as trapped boulders up to meter scale. In addition to the oceanographic, glaciological and sea floor conditions, we also catalogued communities of organisms along the seafloor and ice-ocean interface. We will report the highlights and initial conclusions from Icefin’s in situ data collection, and offer perspectives on change at the grounding zone.</p>

scholarly journals Is Ubiquitous Technology for Needs Data Management a Game Changer in Humanitarian Arena?

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-97
Author(s):  
Punya Prasad Sapkota ◽  
Kashif Siddiqi
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Data Entry ◽  
Humanitarian Assistance ◽  
Dynamic Changes ◽  
The World ◽  
Collection And Management ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Game Changer

One in every 70 people around the world is caught up in a crisis (natural disasters, conflict, climate change, etc.) and urgently needs humanitarian assistance and protection according to the OCHA. The humanitarian community assists millions of people every year based on emerging humanitarian needs. Most of the time, the conditions inside the countries, once the humanitarian needs data is collected, are not very conducive and required simple ways to collect data like paper-based data collection with simple questions. This data is later entered into a database or spreadsheet using rigorous and time-consuming data entry efforts. Dynamic changes in needs of people; numbers of partners involved; the complexity of evolving processes; and emerging technologies over time has led to a change in processes for data collection and management. This article is an attempt to capture humanitarian data collection best practices and the use of different technologies in managing data to facilitate humanitarian needs assessment processes for the Syria crisis.

scholarly journals Where do our graduates go? A toolkit for retrospective and ongoing career outcomes data collection for biomedical PhD students and postdoctoral scholars

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Silva ◽  
Alicia B. Mejía ◽  
Elizabeth S. Watkins
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Graduate Education ◽  
Life Science ◽  
Retrospective Studies ◽  
Collection Management ◽  
Annual Data ◽  
Career Outcomes ◽  
Call To Action ◽  
Postdoctoral Training

Universities are at long last undertaking efforts to collect and disseminate information about student career outcomes, after decades of calls to action. Organizations such as Rescuing Biomedical Research and Future of Research brought this issue to the forefront of graduate education, and the second Future of Biomedical Graduate and Postdoctoral Training conference (FOBGAPT2) featured the collection of career outcomes data in its final recommendations, published in this journal (Hitchcock et al., 2017). More recently, 26 institutions assembled as the Coalition for Next Generation Life Science, committing to ongoing collection and dissemination of career data for both graduate and postdoc alumni. A few individual institutions have shared snapshots of the data in peer-reviewed publications (Mathur et al., 2018; Silva, des Jarlais, Lindstaedt, Rotman, Watkins, 2016) and on websites. As more and more institutions take up this call to action, they will now be looking for tools, protocols, and best practices for ongoing career outcomes data collection, management, and dissemination. Here, we describe UCSF's experiences in conducting a retrospective study, and in institutionalizing a methodology for annual data collection and dissemination. We describe and share all tools we have developed, and we provide calculations of the time and resources required to accomplish both retrospective studies and annual updates. We also include broader recommendations for implementation at your own institutions, increasing the feasibility of this endeavor.

scholarly journals Climate Change and Local Host Availability Drive the Northern Range Boundary in the Rapid Expansion of a Specialist Insect Herbivore, Papilio cresphontes

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Keaton Wilson ◽  
Nicolas Casajus ◽  
Rebecca A. Hutchinson ◽  
Kent P. McFarland ◽  
Jeremy T. Kerr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Host Plant ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Insect Herbivore ◽  
Specialist Herbivore ◽  
Recent Emergence ◽  
Specialist Insect ◽  
Community Science ◽  
Analytical Approaches

Species distributions, abundance, and interactions have always been influenced by human activity and are currently experiencing rapid change. Biodiversity benchmark surveys traditionally require intense human labor inputs to find, identify, and record organisms limiting the rate and impact of scientific enquiry and discovery. Recent emergence and advancement of monitoring technologies have improved biodiversity data collection to a scale and scope previously unimaginable. Community science web platforms, smartphone applications, and technology assisted identification have expedited the speed and enhanced the volume of observational data all while providing open access to these data worldwide. How to integrate and leverage the data into valuable information on how species are changing in space and time requires new best practices in computational and analytical approaches. Here we integrate data from three community science repositories to explore how a specialist herbivore distribution changes in relation to host plant distributions and other environmental factors. We generate a series of temporally explicit species distribution models to generate range predictions for a specialist insect herbivore (Papilio cresphontes) and three predominant host-plant species. We find that this insect species has experienced rapid northern range expansion, likely due to a combination of the range of its larval host plants and climate changes in winter. This case study shows rapid data collection through large scale community science endeavors can be leveraged through thoughtful data integration and transparent analytic pipelines to inform how environmental change impacts where species are and their interactions for a more cost effective method of biodiversity benchmarking.

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