Welcome to Plankton Watch

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Help & Support

Getting Started

This site was originally designed for the Lake Sunapee Protective Association, but anyone is welcome to explore or contribute if they can obtain lake samples. Below are instructions for using the counter system.

  1. Click "Start Counting" on the home page to begin.
  2. Use the and buttons to adjust the count for each taxon. You can also click the number to enter a value manually.
  3. To add a new organism not listed, use "Add New Counter" under the Tools menu.
    • Click the icon to delete a counter.
    • Click the icon to search the organism on iNaturalist.
  4. Before submitting, complete the metadata form by clicking "Enter Metadata."
  5. Once done, you can "Preview Data" or "Download Spreadsheet" under "Save & Submit." Uploading data to the shared dataset requires an account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an account?
Creating an account is optional but recommended. It allows you to save your progress, set preferences, and upload data to the shared dataset.
How can I view or use the collected data?
Once you've entered metadata and completed a count, you can preview or download your data directly. Future updates will include public datasets and visualization tools for broader use.
I want to get involved. Who should I contact?
Start by reaching out to a local lake association or environmental group, such as the Lake Sunapee Protective Association. You may also contact us directly if you need guidance on how to collect or contribute data.
I found a bug or issue—what should I do?
You can report it using our issue form or contact us directly. Community feedback is a vital part of this project.
I want to help with the website. What can I do?
The site’s code is open source and (mostly) available on GitHub. Feel free to explore, fork, or contribute!
I represent an organization. Can we get involved?
Absolutely! You’re welcome to use this site as-is, but if you'd like to be listed as a partner or need organization-specific features, contact us . We're happy to help you onboard or adapt this system for your own use.