Methodological Overview for eBird, iNaturalist, GAP Data, and Wildlife Richness
Rui Zhu, Galen Newman · 2024
This chapter lays the groundwork for subsequent chapters (11, 12, and 13) focusing on calculating species richness for birds, mammals, and insects in the HANC. It explores the impact of the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center&s;s (HANC) renovation on overall wildlife richness using data from eBird and iNaturalist. The chapter provides an overview of the methods employed to assess wildlife richness, emphasizing the importance of standardized protocols and data collection techniques. By tracking changes in species counts following the renovation (post-2019), notable alterations in species diversity are observed. As of April 2022, eBird documented 201 bird species, comprising over 1919 individuals, while iNaturalist recorded 866 species across various taxa. We also examine whether endangered and threatened species associated with habitat ranges found in the HANC were observed in eBird and iNaturalist. The findings highlight 27 distinct species habitats within the HANC, with 4 species identified as threatened.