A Network Connecting Science with Conservation RESEARCH AND FIELD METHODOLOGIES 1.Strategic Preparation for Field Survey: Researching Secondary Sources

A Network Connecting Science with Conservation

RESEARCH AND FIELD METHODOLOGIES

1. Strategic Preparation for Field Survey: Researching Secondary Sources

2. Documenting your References (information sources)

3. Field Survey Strategies and Techniques

4. Instructor: Jennifer Garrett, MA NHESP


STRATEGIC STRATEGIC PREPARATION FOR PREPARATION FOR

FIELD SURVEYFIELD SURVEY

using research materials in natural diversity conservation work


LEARNING OBJECTIVES Recognize the range of research materials available Understand their importance for natural heritage

work Appreciate the role these materials play in preparing

for and conducting field survey Recognize the importance of documenting sources

of information, and how the Reference File can help manage this information


Changing Role of References

Heritage databases were initially built from research of reference materials

Field surveys (primary sources) become increasingly important as most programs mature

References (secondary sources) remain important sources of information

The intelligent use of References is crucial for efficient and successful field surveys


Building Initial Heritage Databases

References on rarity of species References on types of communities References on locations of EOs


Ongoing Importance of Reference Materials

New research and discoveries Taxonomic changes New developments in the field Relationship to the larger scientific community Broad scale study – landscape ecology Preparing for and guiding field surveys Interpretation of field surveys


Planning and conducting field survey

References to help target survey References to know what to expect References to aid in interpretation of field data


Types of Information Sources—an annotated laundry list

Documents Collections Databases and Search Engines Personal Communication Maps, images, and GIS data


Documents

Scientific journals Published reports and books Dissertations and theses Unpublished reports


Collection Institutions – Museums, Herbaria

Major source of early data Most continue to get new specimens Good place to deposit your material Relationship building Institutional support is needed


Internet data sources (p. 3)

Library catalogues and services Taxonomic databases and checklists Atlases and range data Photographs Collection data


Internet data sources (continued)

NatureServe Explorer Heritage Program sites Specialized references sites (e.g., soil

classification) GIS data and interactive map sites Search engines


Internet Data Sources Variable quality – equivalent to published and

unpublished Much is comparable to traditional sources Some genuinely new opportunities

Large, readily accessible databases Search capability Ability to download data for further analysis


Personal communications: People as Sources (p. 14)

A lot more information exists than is written down You can ask questions Can provide relationship as well as information Can be hard to record and document Sharing is important


Potential Experts

Other Heritage Program staff State/provincial resource agency staff University professors and students Field-based professionals -- extension experts, game

wardens, rangers Amateur naturalists Local residents, old-timers


Maps and geographic data (page 10)

Topographic maps Soil Surveys (NRCS) Geologic maps National Wetland Inventory (NWI)


Notes on Scale (p. 13)

misuse of "large scale" and "small scale” 1:24000 is "larger scale" than 1:100000 1/24000 >1/100000 but 1:100000 scale map is a greater area than 1:24000

scale map large scale = fine detail, small coverage area; small scale

= coarse detail, large coverage area


Aerial photos and images (p. 7)

Black and white, true color, infrared Orthophotos, stereo, oblique Satellite images Digital orthophotos


Notes on Resolution

Resolution versus scale Pixel size Compression – can cause image blurring and reduce

resolution


Sources of aerial photos (p. 6)

Federal agricultural offices Departments of transportation Land managing agencies Timber companies State and local governments On-line map sites


Satellite and other remote Imagery (pp. 8-10)

Not a photo, but rather a data set of value associated with picture elements (pixels)

Resolution 30 m to 10 m Used for broad areas, large landscapes LANDSAT, SPOT, etc. Radar/Lidar images and derived data Hyperspectral images


Notes on Satellite Imagery Advantages:

Cover large areas, very up-to-date Can use multiple images for additional data or change detection Specialized processing potential – canopy height from Lidar Basis for most computer classification such as land cover products

Disadvantages: Much is low resolution Requires processing for use Requires investment: Equipment, expertise, time


GIS Data and Analyses

DEMs and terrain analysis Land cover maps Predictive models (e.g., Element Distribution Modeling) Landscape and connectivity analysis ELUs and other physical stratification Ad hoc data exploration


Land Cover Products (p. 12)

Based on satellite images Smoothing/classification derived from statistical

algorithm Minimum mapping unit varies Can be useful for large areas, can have lots of errors Examples: GAP Analysis (state by state), multi-

Resolution Land Cover (MRLC); state land cover maps


GIS Cautions GIS is a tool, not a kind of data Be sure to understand the underlying statistics of your analytic

tools Results are only as good as the input data AND the analytical

method Quality of results does not necessarily correlate with the quality

of the map presentation Be aware of the scales at which your data are intended to be

used (careful of mixing data with different scales within analysis)


DOCUMENTING YOUR REFERENCES - (page 15)

Why is this important?


Reasons to Document References:

Credibility of Heritage information

Documentation of inventory and conservation data

Documentation for research & monitoring projects.

Communication with colleagues - internal/external.

Acknowledgment to / credit of information sources.


Reference file - Biotics 4 (Former Source Abstract [SA] file in BCD; p.16)

Reference File = electronic catalogue of information sources

valuable for keeping track of sources of information (i.e., references)

each record contains standard fields of data e.g. code, citation, abstract, location, checkoffs,

keywords, geographic fields



Reference code (p. 18)

This is a unique identifier for a Reference record, which includes reference type and follows a 12-character structure, which should be written onto the actual reference;

__ | __ __ | __ __ __ | __ __ | __ __ | __ __

ref | year | 1st 3 letters | tie- | subnation | nation

type | of pub. | of author name | brk | of office


Source types and their Codes (p. 18)

Code Reference type A= Articles B = Books D = Decrees or other legal documents F = Field surveys G = Government documents I = Illustrations and photographs J = Journals and periodicals


Source types and their Codes (p. 19)

Code Reference type M =Maps and aerial photographs N = Nonstandard documents P = Personal communication R = Research projects S = Specimens U = Unpublished data W =Website and Internet materials


Community/Flora/Fauna/Physical Science Checkoffs Tab (p. 25)

These checkoffs indicate whether a reference contains information on various physical characteristics and fauna.

The value is selected from a drop-down menu that indicates the usefulness of a reference.

Domain values: Y Yes; 1 Very; 2 Moderately; 3 Not; (null) Unknown or not assessed.


Keyword File (page 27)

The KEYWORD field is one of the most useful tools for searching for records. It also can very easily become a huge mess.

If there are errors in the KEYWORD field (such as typographical errors or spelling variants), then it makes it nearly impossible to retrieve those records from the database.

It is very useful to develop some standards or a set list of accepted keywords for your program.


Problems to Look for in the Reference File (p. 28)

obvious misspellings and typos syntax problems; words with singular and plural versions different words / phrases that have the same

meaning words / phrases that are duplicated identically but

with extra trailing spaces inconsistent use of abbreviations


CONTACTS FILE (p. 16)

People and Organizations Use Reference when you want to cite Use Contacts when you want to call or write


Field Survey Strategies

and Techniques

Planning and executing Natural Heritage field surveys


Field Surveys:

The heart and soul of most Natural Heritage Programs


COURSE OUTLINE

1. Value of field surveys: why are we doing this anyway?

2. History and progress of heritage surveys: from a young to a "mature" program.

3. Types of surveys 4. Prioritization (planning the year's surveys)5. Planning the survey itself (do your homework)6. Conducting the survey7. Field forms8. Data management


LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Appreciate critical role of field surveys Set inventory priorities Plan individual field surveys Make effective use of research materials Gather element and site information Be an ambassador and field diplomat


Why are we doing this anyway?

Ultimate goal: Protect significant natural areas and biodiversity

Maximize information on high-quality (or best-

existing) occurrences of highly ranked elements in

sites which are protectable, manageable, and viable

over the long term.


Intermediate goals

Get current, accurate, detailed information on occurrences and sites Find new EOs Confirm reported EOs Update known EOs Monitoring Determine site boundaries Determine management needs

Improve completeness, quality, and credibility of database


Importance of field surveys

Presence information alone is good, but we need:

Mapped locations

EO ranks

Protection information

Stewardship information

Information to classify the element(s)

Information to refine the element list (assess rarity and taxonomy)


Importance of field surveys (cont.): The field information you gather will be of use to

others: The Nature Conservancy Federal, State/Prov. land managing agencies;

(NPS, USFS, BLM, DOD, USFWS, etc.) local land trusts scientists environmental review landowner registry programs, etc...


History and progress of Heritage Surveys (p. 29):

From a young to a “mature” program

Museum, herbarium, literature, anecdotal information poor ability to prioritize.

Verification, assessment; element, occurrence, site ranking prioritize and protect!

Site conservation planning, site designs, monitoring prioritize, protect, and manage!


Types of surveys (1)A. Geographic -- County / region natural area survey

B. Species survey (e.g. USFWS status survey)

C. Taxonomic group survey (e.g. lichens, bats)

D. Community occurrence survey

E. Community mapping survey

F. Community classification sampling

E. Multi-disciplinary team survey (rare ideal).


Types of surveys (2)

F. Exploratory survey ("is there really nothing in that County!?")

G. Site designs

H. Monitoring

I. Management planning


Prioritization (planning the year’s surveys; p. 30)

A. Rarity / vulnerability of species/communities B. Legal status (federal and state) - desire vs. $$C. Lack of information on statusD. Theme Surveys (e.g. community, rangewide)E. Timing / Seasonality - when plants / animals are

visible and identifiableF. Community Classification / Large Landscapes =>

Gradient-oriented transect or stratified sampleG. GeographicH. “Opportunistic Priority” - desire vs. $$


Planning the Survey itself

What do you need to know? What else could you find out? – Need to balance

focus and discipline with opportunism – May be your only chance to visit a site

How much time will it take? What will you need? Who should come with you? How will you approach the survey?


Preparing for the survey (do your homework! p. 31)

A. Background research -- What might be there?

B. Materials– Biotics printouts (species, communities)– Maps (topo, geological, aerial photo, roads, etc.)

C. Owner contact

D. Have alternative plans!

E. Equipment (what you need, how to get it)

F. Permits: obtain all necessary permits

G. Partners (coordinate schedules)


Conducting the Survey – methods of sampling

Targeted areas Optimized meandering transect Stratified – formal and informal Randomized Opportunistic


Conducting the survey – other issues

A. Landowner relations (ambassadorial duties)

B. Be flexible: re-order priorities as necessary

C. Keep other disciplines in mind (scouting beyond your individual specialty)

D. Keep broader ecological issues in mind – landscape context, evidence of altered environment

E. Keep non-biological issues in mind – site design, protection, and stewardship information


Field Forms (p. 31)

General principles: Standard forms exist for all element types. Fill them out! (and get the data entered…)


Types of Field Forms and Reports1. Sites: site survey summary

a) partially completed, serves to organize the tripb) acts as a cover page for the field packetc) primary form to record negative informationd) means to document leads for future field work

2. Communities: qualitative description, plot or relevé form, with regional variations

3. Plants: special plant form 4. Animals: special animal form 5. Animal or Plant Field Data Reporting Form


Data Management (p. 32)

A. Make sure information gets entered!

B. Documentation

1. Field specimen collection or photographic documentation for species and communities.

2. Plots, other data for community occurrences (the plot is the specimen!)

3. Deposit specimens in scientific collections

C. Sites and conservation, not just elements – specimens are not enough


Exercise!

Look at scenarios in Housatonic River Watershed

Exercise document.

Please do not look at discussion points yet


Exercise! Imagine you are working for a young MA Natural Heritage & Endangered

Species Program. The EPA announced a grant opportunity for projects aimed at the conservation and restoration of the Housatonic River and associated species and habitats damaged or potentially damaged by PCBs discharged by General Electric.

Herbarium records and a 1996 county flora indicate the presence of numerous state-listed plants associated with aquatic, floodplain, and calcareous wetland habitats (see handout for species).

A state community classification has been in use for several years. No community survey has occurred in this area.

Historic records and “rare bird alert” reports indicate the presence of marsh birds, some of which are state-listed; your NY counterparts have discovered federally-listed bog turtles not far over the border. Very little survey work has targeted rare fish.


Exercise! You suspect the floodplains are important habitat for the state-listed Ostrich Fern

Stem-borer. A few records exist for odonates and freshwater mussels, but no important habitat areas for state-listed species have been identified.

The area apparently has some of the most important biodiversity resources in the state, with unexplored riverine and palustrine habitats that are relatively restricted to far western MA. Development and invasive organisms threaten to degrade the watershed before much is known about its value to rare species and state biodiversity. There is still much private land that could be prioritized for protection if we just knew more about it.

This grant could fund multiple years of intensive inventory work, allowing sites to be prioritized for management, restoration, and protection.

Because this grant is restitution for habitats harmed by PCBs, target elements are restricted to those associated with the river channel and tributaries, floodplain, and associated wetland habitats.

With 149 miles of river & hundreds of acres of wetlands, how will you strategize your approach?