1. The Ecology Core Dataset:The Ecology Core Dataset:
Information to SupportInformation to Support
Effective Management in theEffective Management in the
Pacific NorthwestPacific Northwest
3. Need for basic terrestrialNeed for basic terrestrial
ecology data to classifyecology data to classify
ecosystems:ecosystems:
11. Grew out of National Forest Management Act of. Grew out of National Forest Management Act of
1976 reforestation requirements1976 reforestation requirements
2. In recent years business needs have expanded2. In recent years business needs have expanded
to consider wide range of biodiversity assessmentsto consider wide range of biodiversity assessments
at multiple scalesat multiple scales
4. Data from the fieldData from the field
• Collected on 400 m2 circular plots
(ocular macroplots or releves)
5. Data from the fieldData from the field
• Data comprised of two basic parts:
--Basic environmental data
--Percent areal cover of vascular
plant species
6. Data from the fieldData from the field
--Basic environmental data:
Slope, elevation, aspect,
landform, surficial and
bedrock geology, location
7.
8. Data from the fieldData from the field
--Percent areal cover of vascular
plant species
Organized by lifeform layers:
Canopy trees, understory
trees,regeneration trees, shrubs,
herbs, graminoids, ferns
9.
10. Compiling the data: ChallengesCompiling the data: Challenges
• Ecology program in the Region
organized into six areas, each with
autonomous personnel
• Data collection standards difficult to
enforce; data tended to “diverge”
11. Compiling the data: ChallengesCompiling the data: Challenges
• 40,000 plots: missing data fields,
particularly with location
• Dataset is forest ecosystem-centric
• Deciding on core attributes
12. Compiling the data: ResponseCompiling the data: Response
• National data standards emerged in
1998-99 (NRIS Terra)
• Business needs refined by national
technical guide development
13. Compiling the data: ResponseCompiling the data: Response
• Hired a data management expert on
contract
• Data migrated to a core set based on
standard attributes
• Data dictionary to provide metadata
14. Compiling the data:Compiling the data:
Results and DeliveryResults and Delivery
• 40,000 plots migrated to standard
core set
• Posted to open website
(www.reo.gov/ecoshare)
• Data added and edited over time
15.
16.
17. Compiling the data:Compiling the data:
Some applicationsSome applications
• Eventually migrated to NRIS dataset
• Provided to LANDFIRE and used to
develop their vegetation layers
• Used to develop regional potential
vegetation layer
18. Compiling the data:Compiling the data:
More applicationsMore applications
• Can search for species occurrences
• Identify wildlife habitat and map
ranges
• Post-fire monitoring (e.g., Biscuit,
Egley)
• Climate change monitoring
19.
20.
21. Compiling the data:Compiling the data:
Future developmentFuture development
• Complete potential vegetation
mapping in Region
• Support existing mapping vegetation
effort (IMAP)
• Compile structural and soils datasets
22. Compiling the data:Compiling the data:
Future developmentFuture development
• Vegetation structural dataset: Tree
diameters and heights, snags.
downed wood, etc.
23. Lessons LearnedLessons Learned
• Data “rescue” and delivery are among the
most important things we can do
• Focus on core attributes to meet business
needs, not all possible attributes
• Location, location, location
24. Lessons LearnedLessons Learned
• Retain paper data– migration doesn’t
mean discarding old data formats
• Maintain and add to set over time
• Timeliness is important
