Link multiple observations of same individual over time
This is something that I'd like to do more often, as the opportunity arises. So here's a reminder for myself on how to do it.
- After creating the first observation, add "Similar observation set" (or "Observation group") as the Observation Field. A box appears in which you type the ID number of the first observation (or copy/paste from the URL).
- Repeat this for each observation, typing in the same ID number for all of them.
- To see all observations in the set, click on the field name and select “Observations with this field and value”.
- To make it more obvious that each observation is part of a set, copy this URL and add it to the description field of each observation.
- Compile your list of observation sets by making a journal post (or include in your profile) so you can go back and find these quickly. You can use this URL to display all of your observations that include the similar observation set URL. Like this: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&q=%22observation%20set%22&subview=grid&user_id=pfau_tarleton [just replace my ID with your ID].
This approach was originally described here and there's a detailed tutorial here.
My linked observations are here:
- Dainty sulphur butterfly pupae and adult
- Beetle found in shelf fungus
- Parasitic tachnid fly development
- Growth of a plant over time: Draba
- Moth emerged from pupa
Life cycles by kimberlietx:
- Egg development and hatching of rough stink bugs
- Poison Ivy Leaf-miner Moth (great life cycle observation @kimberlietx!)
- Io moth
- Life cycle of southern emerald (Synchlora frondaria)
- Life cycle of alfalfa weevil (Hypera positca)
- Life cycle of leafminer fly, Liriomyza
- Great life cycle of the Brazilian skipper (Calpodes ethlius)
- Life cycle and parasitoids of the leaf blotch miner moth Acrocercops quinquistrigella
- Life cycle of leaf miner moth, Cameraria
Other folks' life cycle collections:
- Amazing caterpillar-->moth development observation sets from Java (great job @franzanth!)
- Another great collection of caterpillar-->moth development observation sets (great collection @robotpie!)
Posted by
pfau_tarleton,
December 14, 2019 10:52 PM
pfau_tarleton,
December 14, 2019 10:52 PM
Comments
A variation on this is, I'm documenting the communities on individual plants. For example, I have many photos of insects, spiders, lichens, etc. on an ash tree in my back yard, taken over the last 4 years. Would it mess up your use of this Observation Field if I used it for my own purpose, with the ID# of the ash tree for each observation?
Someone else created the field, but it's my understanding that it's to be used for connecting any observations for any reason. Here's the tutorial written by the creator: https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/using-the-field-similar-observation-set-for-linking-observations-of-lepidoptera-when-raising-on/1018
Another relevant, existing, field is "Observation Group". Same thing, just a different name. You can choose whichever one sounds best to you.
@catherineklatt, once you have some observation sets, you should create a journal post and compile links to them there (like I did above). It makes it much easier to go back and find them later.
Woohoo this is such a neat, straightforward resource, thank you for including my precious bottlecats!
@franzanth, your artwork is beautiful! https://www.behance.net/user/?username=franzanth
Thanks for this!
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