Identification Guide
Anyone can help North Olympic Land Trust Identify organisms--or evidence of organisms. Log into your personal iNaturalist account, navigate to one of our individual projects or our Umbrella Project, and follow the steps below.
1) ID or Confirm ID to Lowest Taxon (you are reasonably sure you know).
A) "UNKNOWN" observations need to be given an ID, even if only at the kingdom level
B) "Confirm" Species of observations that "Needs ID"
C) "Confirm" or ID ("refine taxon") other taxon levels of observations you cannot get to Species
D) ID ("correct") Misidentified Observations to a taxon you know
E) "Sub-Taxon Correcting"
I. Moving taxon up higher [usually from species to genus]: Occasionally, it is nearly impossible to distinguish two species; however, iNat tend to encourage selecting a species so many folks do so. In these situations, ID to the closest taxon you are comfortable with (subgenus, genus...), and provide a note/explanation. Example: "False bindweeds are difficult to ID to species in photos, unless certain features are clearly seen. These photos do not allow for species level identification, so I've IDed this observation to the appropriate genus." You could also note what features you would need to see to refine your ID to species, or note if an organism cannot be IDed further without physical review ("need DNA, microscope, dental review...to confirm species"). (Notes also help the AI software learn about species that are difficult to distinguish.)
II. Moving taxon into "subs:" iNaturalist rarely suggests "subgenus" and "subspecies" levels of identification; however, these both can be important for different reasons. Subspecies are important in our area because we have many endemic organisms that are better defined by our subspecies--our Elk are an example of a subspecies, "Cervus canadensis roosevelti." Cervus canadensis is not refined enough. Though less common, occasionally a genus level observation would be better refined under a subgenus (ex. ID some Bombus to Pyrobombus to refine a bumble bee observation, that you otherwise cannot ID all the way to species). Notes are helpful to inform the observer and to help train AI.
F) "Confirm" Research Grade Observations
2) Add Annotations
Annotation options change depending on the organism selected. For example, if the observation is of a plant, plant phenology annotation options will follow. Try to complete as many of these annotations as possible--they are the second most useful data collected after ID/Location/Time.
You do not have to know an organism to complete annotations. Many annotations can be completed with no knowledge of the organism in question. Example 1: plants in flower/fruit/seed are easy to annotate. Example 2: "Evidence of Presence" literally asks the type of evidence found in the photos--organism, track, scat,...
3) Add to Projects
You may choose to add some observations to projects. For example, the project "Ground Nesting Bees" (through Cornell University) asks folks to add observations to their project to help track where bees nest. Occasionally, they use this data to determine where to further investigate nesting sites. Note: many projects will require you to add additional data ("Observation Fields"); and will automate those questions. Example: Ground Nesting Bees asks "how many holes observed"
Forest Health
Umbrella Project for Projects Listed Below: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/forest-health-watch-projects
Coastal Redwood and Giant Sequoia Health Watch: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/coastal-redwood-and-giant-sequoia-health-watch
Douglas-Fir Health Watch: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/douglas-fir-health-watch
Grand Fir Health Watch: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/grand-fir-health-watch
Incense Cedar Health Watch: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/incense-cedar-health-watch
Plants Affected by Heat: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/plants-affected-by-heat
Red Alder Health Watch: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/red-alder-health-watch
Sooty Bark Disease Watch: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/sooty-bark-disease-watch
Unhealthy plants in the PNW: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/unhealthy-plants-in-the-pnw
Western Hemlock Health Watch: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/western-hemlock-health-watch
Western Redcedar Dieback Map: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/western-redcedar-dieback-map
Woody Plants Affected by Drought: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/woody-plants-affected-by-drought
4) Add "Observation Fields"
The best uses of Observations Fields are to: (1) Link iNat Observations and (2) Document Interspecies Associations. Other uses including noting specific features of an observation (e.g. "feather placement" for a feather observation), counting occurrences of something (e.g. nest holes at a site), noting weather conditions at the time of observation, and so forth.
Observation Fields are created by anyone; therefore, there are many and they are duplicative. Some "Projects" use specialized Observation Fields, which may be publicly shared. iNat and scientists know this, and group "similar" observation fields (depending on their research) when assessing data.
When using Observation Fields: (1) be as specific as you intend/know; (2) choose observation fields that are most used; (3) avoid creating new observation fields.
Below is a short list of suggested observation fields, but Identifiers should feel free to add any relevant observation fields they see fit.
A) "Associated Observation"
Most general of all "associations"; excellent for connect two observations, especially when the "relationship or activity" (eating, host...) is unknown. (Ex: Butterfly resting on a dove) Note: Requires two separate observations.
B) "Associated Plant"
Most general "host plant" association (includes nectaring, pollinating, eating, gathering, living in, resting on...) It can be hard to tell what an organism is doing to a plant, and this category at least creates the association. Folks who feel confident in the observed activity can annotate further by searching for relevant Observations Fields. Note: All taxon levels; populates from entire iNat species list.
C) "Similar Observation Set"
Use this for an organism you believe might be a species--for example it looks similar--but are not comfortable confirming that species--useful when species look similar. Note: Needs prior observation to link
D) "Same specimen over time"
Use this to document a specimen you believe to be the same organism overtime; used mostly for plants/trees but can be used for all organisms. This can be used to track the phenology of a specific organism. Note: Needs prior observation to link
E) "Feather Placement"
Use only if you are certain on the placement of the feather, and only used on "Feather" Observations.
F) Global Biotic Interactions Specific Annotations
"Eating"
--> Taxon = What is being eaten (used on "eater" observation) (Ex. Observation of a Bald Eagle eating a Chinook Salmon: Annotation is "Eating = Chinook Salmon")"Eaten By"
--> Taxon = What organism is doing the eating (used on "food" observation)"Interaction->Host Of"
--> Taxon = "non-host" Species (used on Host Observation) Inverse of Has Host: The term host is usually used for the larger (macro) of the two members of a symbiosis"Interaction->Has Host"
--> Taxon = Host Species (used on "non-host" Observation) The term host is usually used for the larger (macro) of the two members of a symbiosisMore specific host/parasite annotations:
"Kleptoparasite Host" --> Taxon = The host of the kleptoparasite (used on kleptoparasite observation) Only used with "true" kleptoparasites
"Parasite Host" --> Taxon = The host of the parasite (used on parasite observation) Only used with "true" parasites
"Parasite Species" --> Taxon = Parasite species living on host observation (used on host observation) Only used for "true" parasites
5) Mention ("@") Other Identifiers
In a comment on an observation, you can use "@" + username (example: @alexwilson5) to alert them to an observation. Use this feature to request additional identification assistance or to draw someone's attention to an observation. (Ex. "@north_olympic_land_trust I'm having a hard time getting this plant to species, but I think you might be able to. Any tips?")
