The AKN nodeLeo Salas, Grant Ballard & Geoff Geupel – Point Blue Conservation ScienceDavid Hanni – Rocky Mountain Bird ObservatoryJamie Stephens & John Alexander – Klamath Bird ObservatoryKatie Koch – U.S. Fish & Wildlife ServiceEd Laurent – Connecting Conservation

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Outline

• The principles: data-intensive science, adaptive management, decision support systems and AKN nodes

• The AKN paradigm shifts: data sharing, data discovery, linking knowledge.

• Why do we need decision support systems? • AKN nodes, partnerships and leadership

The AKN node 2

What is an AKN node?

In our own words…

“An AKN node is a partnership of people and institutions that federates data into the AKN with the intent to properly curate them and use them to actively develop decision support tools and data products.  In doing so, these partnerships seek to fulfill the overarching goal of the AKN: improved conservation and management of bird populations in the western hemisphere, at multiple spatial scales and across political boundaries, based on the best science available.”

The AKN node

Data-intensive science paradigm

The AKN node

CAPTURE

MAINTAIN

ANALYZE

DELIVER

DATA LIFE CYCLE

Decision support systems

The AKN node

Analysis,Decision-support (DST)

Data collection

Management Data managemen

t

Decision Support System

AKN nodes as Decision Support Systems

The AKN node 6

• Mechanistic view of AKN nodes: capture, curate, analyze and publish data

• Adaptive management view of AKN nodes: enabling a learning processes

• Systemic view of AKN nodes: bringing together the right data, knowledge and appropriate expertise for conservation decisions, while integrating outcomes within other frameworks, scales and perspectives

Shared dataThe first AKN paradigm shift

+ + =

DONE!

NOPE! Data still in laptop!

+ + =

DONE!

+

First paradigm shift: share the data

How we used to manage our data:

Standardized, discoverable dataThe second AKN paradigm shift

Linking knowledgeThe third paradigm shift

Why do we need AKN?

• We can develop and deliver the requiredtechnology very cost-effectively

• We are a community of practice; we want products useful for management

• AKN nodes provide partnerships and leadership at multiple scales

The new AKN 10

The heart of the AKN node: partnershipsCriteria for an AKN partnership:• Key conservation problem

(e.g., the MCBMP has: grassland bird conservation partnership)

• Key questions (e.g. What is the best management action [easements, restoration, do-nothing] to increase populations of prairie chicken?)

• Key players to bring expertise to solve problems• Key datasets to bring relevant information• Key managers to use the tools developed

The new AKN 11

AKN nodes andleadershipWhat we call leadership:• A person or team of people• Understand the problem at multiple scales and from

various (partner’s) perspectives• Can reach out to bring in the key players, key datasets,

appropriate technology• Open and collaborative• Provide answers and guidance where and when needed

The new AKN 12

The partnerships behind nodes strive to provide leadership!

How can we help?

• How can an AKN node help you? • Who should you contact?• Are you interested in joining a node?• Are you interested in starting a node?

Please visit the AKN website for further information:http://www.avianknowledge.net

Thank you!