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site-phenometrics

Determine the typical start and end dates of phenological activity for each species at a monitoring site by aggregating individual observations.

Instructions

About the tool: Aggregates individual phenological data to provide average start and end dates of phenological activity for each species at each monitoring site. Represents the 'typical' timing for a species at a location by averaging across all individuals of that species at the site.

When to use: Creating phenological calendars, analyzing site-specific timing patterns, comparing phenology across locations, understanding regional growing seasons, or studying how local climate affects species timing.

Key applications:

  • Phenological calendars: Creating seasonal timing guides for specific locations

  • Growing season analysis: Quantifying length of active growing periods for sites/regions

  • Climate relationship studies: Investigating how phenological timing relates to temperature, precipitation, and seasonal patterns

  • Site comparisons: Comparing phenological timing across elevation gradients, latitude gradients, or different habitat types

  • Regional management: Planning for activities like controlled burns, invasive species management, or ecotourism

  • Agricultural applications: Understanding wild plant timing to inform crop management decisions

Scientific context: Site phenometrics average out individual variation to reveal location-specific phenological signatures. Essential for understanding how climate drivers affect species timing at landscape scales.

Research applications:

  • 'When do oak leaves typically emerge at Yellowstone vs. Great Smoky Mountains?'

  • 'How long is the typical growing season for maple species in Minnesota?'

  • 'When should we expect peak wildflower blooms in different Colorado elevation zones?'

Data interpretation: Each record represents one species at one site for the specified time period. Start/end dates are averages across individuals. Sites represent uniform habitat areas ≤15 acres. Values of -9999 represent missing/null data.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
start_dateYesStart date in YYYY-MM-DD format. Must be used with end_date.
end_dateYesEnd date in YYYY-MM-DD format. Must be used with start_date.
bottom_left_x1NoX coordinate of the bottom left corner for bounding box filtering.
bottom_left_y1NoY coordinate of the bottom left corner for bounding box filtering.
upper_right_x2NoX coordinate of the upper right corner for bounding box filtering.
upper_right_y2NoY coordinate of the upper right corner for bounding box filtering.
species_idNoUnique species identifier.
station_idNoUnique identifier associated with an observer’s location.
species_typeNoSpecies type(s) the organism belongs to. Must match values from getAnimalTypes and getPlantTypes.
networkNoName of the network(s)/group(s) where the organism is observed. Must match values from getPartnerNetworks.
stateNoState where the observation occurred. Uses two-character postal abbreviation.
phenophase_categoryNoPhenophase category. Must match values from getPhenophase.
phenophase_idNoUnique identifier of the phenophase.
functional_typeNoFunctional types of the species. Must match values from getSpeciesFunctionalTypes.
climate_dataNoFlag to indicate whether all climate data fields should be returned. Accepts 0 or 1. Almost always beneficial to see climate data in relation to phenometric data.
individual_idsNoList of unique identifiers of the individuals for which the observations are made.
additional_fieldNoAdditional fields to include in output.
Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

The description discloses that the tool averages individual data, uses -9999 for missing values, and specifies site size. While no annotations are provided, the description covers key behavioral aspects, though it could explicitly state the tool is read-only.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is well-structured with clear sections and front-loaded with the tool's purpose. While it is lengthy, each section adds value by providing examples and applications. It is concise for the amount of information conveyed.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the tool has 17 parameters and no output schema, the description provides sufficient context on purpose, usage, and data interpretation. It explains averaging and missing values, though it could benefit from describing the output format.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 100%, so the baseline is 3. The description does not add significant parameter-level details beyond the schema, but it provides overall context. This is adequate given the schema covers all parameters.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the tool aggregates individual phenological data to provide average start and end dates for each species at each monitoring site. It distinguishes itself from sibling tools like 'individual-phenometrics' by emphasizing the averaging across individuals.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description includes a 'When to use' section listing several applications and examples, providing clear context for usage. However, it does not explicitly mention when not to use the tool or compare it with alternatives.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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