Monarch Watch Forums

by **Jim** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 8:56 am

Welcome!

We are now entering the beta testing phase of our new Temperature Monitoring Program. We have invited 50 Monarch Watchers to receive prototype kits and participate in this testing; however, we invite everyone to join in discussions here as we flesh out the program and work out all of the kinks. If you have questions, suggestions, or comments along the way please let us know.

We have several goals for this program. One goal is to develop a thorough understanding of the growth of monarch populations in all portions of the country. To achieve this objective we need a network of participants who will monitor temperatures in monarch larval habitats.

Our attempts to document the growth of monarch populations by monitoring degree days, while revealing, has several failings. First, the degree days are calculated from temperatures measured at 1.5 meters at weather stations that are some distance from the observed larvae. Secondly, the estimating method we are using to calculate the degree days is known to have limitations. Thirdly, since monarch larvae appear to have some control of their body temperatures by exposing themselves to sunlight, they would appear to have the capacity to develop faster than would be indicated by simply measuring degree days. Our temperature loggers can help us resolve each of these problems. The loggers will allow all of us to obtain data at the site where larvae are developing rather than using temperatures from remove sites. We will also be able to calculate degree days more accurately by using hourly temperature measurements and we will be able to enlist volunteers and students to conduct numerous experiments that will reveal the extent to which larvae use the heating of the sun to shorten their development.

Then there are all of the other applications and lessons that are possible using this technology...Stay Tuned!

Here is the current geographic distribution of our Temperature Monitoring Beta Testers (49 is the U.S. and 1 in Canada): CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA(2), IL, IN(2), KS(7), KY, MA, MD (2), MI (2), MN(2), MO, NC, NJ, NY(2), OH, OK, PA(2), TX(8), VA, WI(3), WV(2), ONT

by **MILW** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 8:53 pm

This will be fun! My order is in already.
cheers- Scott

by **Sandwhy** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 11:07 pm

Can't wait!

Sandy

by **SWAMPMILKWEED** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 7:28 am

I am just thrilled and honored. Thank you!!!

by **Ruthy** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 4:38 pm

We are excited about being included! Thanks!

by **troot** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 6:17 pm

Looking forward to this neat opportunity!
Teresa in South St. Paul, MN

by **Judy Molnar** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 10:40 am

Jim & Chip
We are honored to be chosen for the Beta testing! I'm working on getting our check out to you in the mail this week!

Sincerely yours,

Judy Molnar

by **Pat** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:14 pm

Hi everyone; I'm so pleased to be included in the beta testing!
Thanks, Jim and Chip ~

by **Ms. Joy N. Africano** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:54 pm

Hello!

We are so happy to come aboard! We are a new charter school in the city of Buffalo with newly established gardens. The Monarchs are laying eggs like crazy on our milkweed plants.

I am looking forward to including my students on this new research project. The best way for anyone to learn is by 'hands-on'. Doesn't get any better than this!

Thanks for the opportunity,

Joy Africano

by **ccullar** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 2:55 pm

Our Beta test kit arrived today. When are we supposed to activate them, install them, etc.

Carol Cullar
Rio Bravo Nature Center Foundation
Eagle Pass TX

by **James Langhus** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 6:51 pm

We got the Beta tester today and are awaiting instructions. Its great to be on board with another project.

Jim Langhus
Waystations #475 and 540

by **wbl56** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 8:58 am

The Beta Test Prototype Kit arrived yesterday, and I placed it in the garden last evening. We had rain last night, and the ink on the decal washed off...apparently not weatherproof. I don't think the monarchs (or the iButton) will care, though :wink:

Eagerly awaiting further instructions...

by **Jim** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 10:28 am

wbl56 wrote:The Beta Test Prototype Kit arrived yesterday, and I placed it in the garden last evening. We had rain last night, and the ink on the decal washed off...apparently not weatherproof. I don't think the monarchs (or the iButton) will care, though Eagerly awaiting further instructions...

You'll need to mission the logger before it will begin gathering data - instructions for Mac users have been posted and those for Windows users will be online shortly, possibly tonight.

As for the toner getting washed off the decal I'm not too surprised - the actual logger cards will be much more weatherproof

by **Don Spearance** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 8:45 pm

Got the kit today. Looking forward to helping out with some data from Massachusetts.

Don

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