Flash or Mission? Understanding the two types of data at Mission Monarch

In participatory science, every observation counts. But not all data have the same ecological value. At Mission Monarch, a community science program documenting the monarch’s reproductive success, we distinguish two types of contribution: occurrence data, also called “Flash,” and survey data, which we simply call a “Mission.”

Occurrence data (Flash): useful, but limited

Occurrence data is something like a report on iNaturalist, a popular community-science platform devoted to biodiversity:

“I saw a monarch butterfly at such a place, on such a date.”

This information is valuable, notably for tracking the arrival of monarchs every year. For example, the date of the first individual observed in Canada can tell us something about the effects of climate change. But although that data may be important, it’s still just a one-off: it says nothing about the butterfly’s immediate environment, the quality of the habitat or the presence of host plants.

Survey data (Mission): an ecological treasure trove

In contrast, survey data implies a more structured approach. In a Mission, participants don’t settle for simply catching a glimpse of a monarch: they methodically examine the milkweed plants at a given site, noting their density and the site’s surface area, and record all their observations: number of eggs, caterpillars, chrysalises and adults. This is what makes it possible to document a genuine monarch breeding site.

Here's an example of a typical inventory (excerpted from our leaflet): 

These data provide a much richer and complete ecological portrait. They make it possible, among other things, to identify the environments that are critical to monarch reproduction.

Why is it important?

Because these data can guide concrete decisions concerning conservation. For instance, Ville de Montréal can consult the Mission Monarch database before launching a development project. By knowing the exact location of monarch breeding sites (wherever caterpillars are growing), the city can choose to preserve those environments or even improve them.

In a nutshell

At Mission Monarch, every contribution is valuable. But it’s the survey data that allow us to map the monarch’s breeding habitat with scientific rigor.

So next time you see a butterfly twirling in a meadow, why not turn that encounter into a Mission?