ESD Workshop Poster Session A Brief Introduction January 28, 2012
Mobile Soil Survey for Interpreting and Developing ESDs Synergy Resource Solutions, Inc Mark Hendrix Calli Oiestad Melissa Kelson Jack Alexander Countgrass.com
Soil Web Description GPS based smart phone app for, real-time field access to USDA-NRCS soil survey data
Using Mobile Soil Survey to Develop/Identify Ecological Site Descriptions: Allows field-verification of eco-sites on your phone, to determine whether or not eco-sites are mapped and correlated to soils correctly Have the ability to check soil map units in the field makes field-verification of soils and eco sites more productive Improves ESD mapping efficiency by providing an immediate source of soil data and lab data Don t have to pack heavy, printed soil surveys around
Spatial Prediction of Ecological Site and Biological Soil Crust Classes in Canyonlands National Park Colby Brungard and Janis Boettinger Department of Plants, Soils and Climate, Logan, UT. Objective: We modeled and predicted ecological sites and biological soil crust classes across Canyonlands National Park. Conclusions: Model accuracy was highly dependent upon the number of observations in a class. Our detailed spatial prediction of ecological site and biological soil crust classes adds value to NRCS soil survey products and may assist in detailed land management of Canyonlands National Park.
Hybrid ESD Sampling Procedure Combines dry weight rank with comparative yield for understory more plots in less time than fixed plots better characterizes a site Uses species-specific reconstruction factors (dry weight rank does not) more accurate point-in-time estimate of annual production more practical (dry weight is estimated in field) Includes expanded fixed plots for woody species and succulents Used for High-Intensity Characterization and Monitoring (Bestelmeyer et al. 2009) Data entered on site with tablet PC or field sheets MS Excel workbook runs regression analysis with single-keystroke macro community species composition community production production by species surface cover Tutorial, workbook, field sheets on New Mexico NRCS tech-notes Web page http://www.nm.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/tech-notes/range.html
Validating Expert-Based STMs using Long-Term Data Amber Dalke, Mitchel McClaran, Dan Robinett Objectives Validate existing STMs using long-term data from the Santa Rita Experimental Range in southern Arizona Determine the characteristics and the probability of falling within a defined State Follow a transect over time, identify transitions, and X X associate events or actions related to the change HCPC Mesquite, Native State (MN) Mesquite, Lehmann State (ML) X X X=States that cannot be validated using the available data
Validating Expert-Based STMs using Long-Term Data Amber Dalke, Mitchel McClaran, Dan Robinett Native Perennial Grass (% basal cover) Loamy Upland 12-16 Pz (MLRA 41-3) Ungrazed Plots HCPC Mesquite, Native State (MN) Mesquite, Lehmann State (ML) Plots that Fit States Plots Best Fit to HCPC Plots Best Fit to MN Plots Best Fit to ML In Defined State Best Fit to State Prob. of Falling within State Ungrazed 35 165 17.5% Grazed 25 231 9.8% Totals 60 396 13.2%
Validating Expert-Based STMs using Long-Term Data Amber Dalke, Mitchel McClaran, Dan Robinett Following a Grazed Transect Over Time HCPC Mesquite, Native State (MN) Mesquite, Lehmann State (ML) Time Series Native Perennial Grass (% basal cover) Year State (or Best Fit to State) 1984 Best Fit to MN Transition Actions or Events 1991 Best Fit to ML Heavy Rainfall 1994 ML Fire 1997 ML 2000 ML 2003 Best Fit to ML Very Dry 2006 Best Fit to MN Very Dry 2009 Best Fit to ML
Strengths and Limitations of AKSite: Recommendations for the Development of a National ESD Database Dave Evans and Dallas Glass, ESI Specialists Sonora, CA
What is AKSite? Microsoft Access DB Front-end Back-end Structure Talks to Pedon PC/ PC Plus Powerful tool for ESD development
Poster s main points (objectives) 1. Advantages and limitations of AKSite 2. How AKSite is used in California 3. Give recommendations for a national database that implements AKSite s most advantageous features
Developing Ecological Site Keys Sarah Quistberg, USDA-NRCS MLRA Office, Ogden, UT
Ecological Site Keys Ecological site keys can be developed by using different techniques Field observations Vegetative characteristics Soils data ESD keys were developed in Utah by utilizing soils information in the National Soils Information System (NASIS)
Multivariate Methods Rangeland ESD s and Forage Suitability Groups (FSG s) K.E. Spaeth Ph.D. Grazingland Team CNTSC, Fort, Worth, Tx. 1/27/2012 Page 15
Using Classification and Ordination in Developing ESD s Classification (Cluster Analysis) and Ordination, are multivariate techniques that can quantify patterns and trends in ecological data. Community ecologists have a long tradition of using ordination and classification as complementary methods for depicting vegetation pattern. Ordination provides a continuous model of gradient response, while classification or cluster analysis define groups of items based on their similarities.
New Developments PC ORD is CCE approved A data analysis and interpretation handbook is being developed (Spaeth). How to use NRI and other field data Individual State Training upon request. 1/27/2012 Page 17
Lunch from 12:20-1:20 Let s see some posters!