The Ecology Core Dataset:The Ecology Core Dataset:

Information to Support Information to Support Effective Management in the Effective Management in the

Pacific NorthwestPacific Northwest

Overview of the

Pacific Northwest Region

• 19 National Forests

Need for basic terrestrial Need for basic terrestrial ecology data to classify ecology 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 expanded 2. In recent years business needs have expanded to consider wide range of biodiversity assessments to consider wide range of biodiversity assessments

at multiple scalesat multiple scales

Data from the fieldData from the field• Collected on 400 m2 circular plots

(ocular macroplots or releves)

Data from the fieldData from the field

• Data comprised of two basic parts:

--Basic environmental data

--Percent areal cover of vascular plant species

Data from the fieldData from the field

--Basic environmental data:

Slope, elevation, aspect,

landform, surficial and

bedrock geology, location

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

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”

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

Compiling the data: ResponseCompiling the data: Response

• National data standards emerged in 1998-99 (NRIS Terra)

• Business needs refined by national technical guide development

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

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

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

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

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

Compiling the data: Compiling the data: Future developmentFuture development

• Vegetation structural dataset: Tree diameters and heights, snags. downed wood, etc.

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

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

• Retain paper data– migration doesn’t mean discarding old data formats

• Maintain and add to set over time

• Timeliness is important