Eurasian Chronicle of Nature as a basis for large-scale analysis of changing ecosystems.

(Poster)

Juri Kurhinen
kurhinenj@gmail.com

Mathematical Biology Group, Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Finland Forestry Research Institute of Karelian Research Centre RAS, Petrozavodsk, Russia, Finland
,
Vladimir Bolshakov
Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology RAS, Ekaterinburg, Russia, Russia
,
Ilya Prokhorov
Information and Analytical Centre for Protected Areas Support, Moscow, Russia, Russia
,
Otso Ovaskainen
Mathematical Biology Group, Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Finland Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway, Finland
,
Evgeniy Meyke
EarthCape Oy, Viikinkaari 6 00790 Helsinki Finland, Finland

DOI: 10.17011/conference/eccb2018/108118

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At present, the study of the consequences of global climate change on ecosystems has become particularly relevant. "Chronicles of Nature" is a unique monitoring program unmatched in geographical (former USSR) and temporal scale (from early 1900s and still ongoing in most locations), that accumulated mostly on paper until early 2000s with no coordinated attempt to compile it in a common format. It has become the basis for international cooperation since 2011 in the framework of ECN project led by the University of Helsinki. ECN: Eurasian Chronicle of Nature - Large Scale Analysis of Changing Ecosystems, it has more than 450 participants (researchers) representing 176 organizations from 12 countries including 114 PAs, 34 research institutes, 15 universities, and ministries and departments for environmental protection. The compilation of the data into a common database was conducted by the database coordinators. Large-scale and long-term dataset currently processed that can be used to examine community-level spatial variation in phenological dynamics and its climatic drivers. The database consist of 401,127 observation dates collected in 239 localities in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, with the longest time series of 115 years - from 1899 to 2014. In addition to phenological data, we compile the long-term population data of mammals and birds and other types of surveys included "Сhronicle of nature". From the very beginning, the project had the task of forming an international network of cooperation and provided for the creation of a database for the mass counting of mammals (including small ones), birds, invertebrates, the dynamics of abundance and diversity of vascular plants and fungi, hunting statistics, meteorological factors, forest cover and phenology . The area of research is biomes of the Eurasian taiga - from Scandinavia to the Urals and further to the coast of the Pacific Ocean. It is assumed, that the database will reflect the environmental changes that have occurred in the ecosystem of boreal forests over the last 50-100 years (including taking into account the monitoring of anthropogenic dynamics of the forest structure occurring against the backdrop of climate change). Data processing is based on developments of the Group of Mathematical Biology of the University of Helsinki. The main work of the Group focuses on the interaction between theoretical and empirical research in spatial and evolutionary biology. The group developed a wide range of mathematical, statistical and computational methods for analyzing the movement of species inhabiting diverse landscapes, with special emphasis on the survival of populations. The existing experience of joint research allows us to speak about the special importance of monitoring works within the "Chronicles of nature" of PAs, and the significance of this work grows in proportion to the duration of observations.

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INTRO:
The abstract presents a monitoring program that cover a large spatial area (former USSR) and temporal scale (from early 1900 until now). This monitoring program seems to provide a description of the environmental changes (phenological and climate changes) as well as information on population dynamic for various taxa (eg. mammals and birds). It is argues that this dataset can provide useful information on environmental changes that have occurred in the ecosystem of boreal forests over the last 50-100 years. In particular this dataset can be of interest for ecologists involved of the field of spatial ecology and population dynamic.
MERITS:
The presentation of this important monitoring program can be of interest for ecologists who intend to develop some collaborations. Indeed it seems that these data could be valuable in further studies, dealing with global changes and spatial and temporal population dynamic.
CRITIQUE:
I found this abstract not clear in its general form. The succession of ideas could be more structured and arranged in a more logical way. I also think that some sentences should be rewritten to be more clear or precise. For example the first one seems too broad with no direct link with the next sentence. I would have said instead something like "In the context of global changes, long-term and large scale monitoring programs are of crucial importance for conservation issues".

In the same way the second sentence introduce the monitoring program but without giving more information about what kind of monitoring is it. The same after: "the database consist of 401,127 observation dates collected in 239 localities in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, with the longest time series of 115 years - from 1899 to 2014." = observations of what? It is just mentioned in the next sentence that the monitoring include "long-term population data of mammals and birds" but we don´t know for example if the monitoring also include others species. The term "phenological data" is also too vague as well as "and other types of surveys". For me some important information are missing here and should be added.

Furthermore the aim is not clear for me. Do the authors only intend to present in detail this monitoring program? Is it an appeal for future collaborations? Or does the presentation will also include the results of some studies conducted with these data (which would be very interesting)? This point should be clarified.
DISCUSSION:
So for me this presentation can be very interesting but I would like to have more information in the abstract, as I found that some important information are missing or should be more clear. I also think that the text should be better organized with a clear succession of ideas and more direct links between sentences. Finally the general aim of the talk should be more explicit. I hope these comments will help to improve the presentation, which I think could be of interest for many ecologists working on conservation in the boreal area.