connecting science and management: an information value chain nps 2008 gis/data management...
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Connecting Science and Management:
An information value chain
NPS 2008 GIS/Data Management Conference
April 2, 2008
Complex Environment
The NPS is “confronted with increasingly complex and challenging issues that require broad-based understanding of the status and trends of each Park’s natural resources as a basis for making decisions, working with other agencies, and communicating with the public to protect Park natural systems and native species.”
- From science.nature.nps.gov/im/
Numerous studies highlight threats – both inside and outside Park borders
A Crucial Role
NPS GIS and Data Managers play a crucial role in developing and communicating the information
that addresses this need
Technology Needs
Visualization tools, interactive products Paradigm shift: Google and Google
maps New tools and techniques to extract
content from dissimilar data sets
Science Needs Greater range of spatial data options,
including ecological information and predictive models
Improved estimates of viability Ability to measure changes over time
and attribute those changes to specific threats
Ability to summarize those changes using indicators of ecosystem condition
Integration of socio-economic data
Institutional Context
Larger, more challenging initiatives Expectation of collaboration and
sharing Emphasis on quality control Expectation of free and open
access High value placed on keeping
control in hands of data providers, especially through distributed architectures
Complexity Leads to Challenges
Biological systems are inherently complex Sheer size and geographic distribution of
the Park units Complex decision-making processes
© Charlie Brown Photos
Keep it Simple
Information professionals increase their chances of both mission and
financial success if they use proven techniques to summarize that complexity in discreet and
recognizable steps.
Not rocket science !
By organizing your work into a series of concepts that build on each other,
a “value chain”
you can demonstrate how you deliver products and services that benefit decision makers at multiple levels.
NPS and NatureServe have a lot in common
Distributed Networks of Programs
Puerto Rico
Need for quality and consistency
Taxonomic reconciliation Handling sensitive data Dealing with spatial uncertainty Setting and observing standards
We work together mapping vegetation
of the National Parks
Field data collection
Data Preparation and Transformation
Data Analysis
Data storage and Q/C
PLOT SIZE• 400 sq. m. for Forests and Woodlands• 100 sq. m. for Shrubland and Herbaceous
Vegetation
LOCATION DATA• recorded to ≤ 10 m accuracy with GPS unit
VEGETATION DATA • Presence and cover of all vascular taxa at six
height strata• Measurements of all woody stems ≥ 2.5 cm
DBH
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA • Topographic Position• Cover of surface substrates (wood, bedrock,
boulders, etc.)• Slope• Aspect• Soil samples
Standard data collection methods
Standard data storage system
Final products, Voyageurs National ParkLBC - Black Spruce/Leatherleaf Semi-treed Bog MAP_CODE LBCMAP_DESC Black Spruce/Leatherleaf Semi-treed Bog ASSN_NAME Picea mariana / Chamaedaphne calyculata / Sphagnum spp. Dwarf-shrublandASSN_CNAME Black Spruce / Leatherleaf Semi-treed Bog ASSN_CEGL CEGL005218ALL_NAME Chamaedaphne calyculata Saturated Dwarf-shrubland AllianceALL_CNAME Leatherleaf Saturated Dwarf-shrubland AllianceALL_KEY A.1092NVCS_CODE IV.A.1.N.g.CLASS Dwarf-shrubland (IV)SUBCLASS Evergreen Dwarf-shrubland (IV.A)GROUP Needle-leaved or Microphyllous Evergreen Dwarf-shrubland (IV.A.1)SUBGROUP Natural/Semi-natural (IV.A.1.N)FORMATION Saturated Needle-leaved or Microphyllous Evergreen Dwarf-shrubland (IV.A.1.N.g)ECO_GROUP BogsECO_SUBGRP Shrub BogsMNCC open sphagnum bog (intermediate and raised subtypes)NWON_FEC V38+NWON_WET W25LUC_II 61 - Forested WetlandCOMMENT1 From large peatland complexes to small confined basins. Similar to LB map unit, however with
conifers 10-25% cover (conifers may be as low as 2-3 meters in height).COMMENT2 Mapped as BBX when ericaceous mat is broken up due to beaver activity. Can grade into BSL and
LB.
Results further inform national view
Other Areas of Cooperation
National T&E Species database
Essential information to report on progress towards GIPRA goals
Key ecological attributes and integrity factors
Seamless network of protected areasWood Stork, G4 N3
Parks Canada + NatureServe
Increased PCA ability to report and manage biodiversity
• Standards both technical and scientific
• Capacity : to manage biodiversity data and systems; to synthesis data into conservation units
• Software : Biotics, Observation Module plus ICE
• Science : Taxonomy, data models
Cost effective + partnership building
18
State NHPs
Image courtesy of Parks Canada
Using Element Occurrence Information
• SAR monitoring and recovery
• Land Management (trails, roads – infrastructure change etc)
• Ecological Integrity monitoring
• Environmental Assessments
• etc
Ultimate goal is to inform decisions
“A flaw in the human character is that everybody wants to build and
nobody wants to do maintenance.”
Kurt Vonnegut
Data Updates: Changes to Data Keep on Coming
Keep abreast of scientific advancements and regulatory changes that impact species and ecological data.
Including: names classification descriptions distribution conservation
status ranks
More Data!
Quality System Tools
Help screens Online knowledge base Methodology Training &
companion CD Software routines Data exchange
documentation Benchmark data content
standards Data sharing agreements
FGDC / NBII Standard Metadata
Describe characteristics of the data
Training offered at NatureServe Conferences
FGDC compliant metadata delivered with data products Includes the NBII
Biological Metadata Extension
National and International Standards
US Forest Service and BLM sensitive species
US Fish and Wildlife Service candidates for listing under the ESA
General Status of Species in Canada US Department of Transportation
ecologically sensitive areas Federal Geographic Data Committee IUCN
Supporting and Training Users
Training staff and partners on methods and database use.
Supporting users to implement the methodology.
Developing a detailed knowledge base.
Hosting conferences to discuss and understand user needs.
Developing “Help” documentation for database users.
Consistent application of methodology requires well trained practitioners and ongoing technical support.
Keeping up with Technology
A never-ending proposition
Data Management:More than Meets the Eye
What you see:
What you don’t:
Data updates Reconciliation
of member program data
Quality control & assurance
New data development
Scientific methodology refinement
User support & training
Software development
Website updates & upgrades
Keep it Simple
Describe a process that moves forward and leads to a recognized goal
Convey a sense of connection between activities
Make the link tospecific programs
Not rocket science !
Information Value Chain
Data collection (field inventory); data recording
Data management and quality assurance
Conservation expertise
and analysis
Information access and interoperability
Decision Support
Scientific standards and methods
ConservationDecisions
Distribution and Use
Data Management
Collection
Value chain shows connections between goals and activities
Data collection (field inventory); data recording (ATBI)
Data management and quality assurance (NPSpecies, GIS Theme Manager, Metadata)
Conservation expertise and analysis
Information access and interoperability (NPS Data Store, NPSpecies Online)
Decision Support
Scientific standards and methods (I&M Protocols, NR Database Template)
ConservationDecisions
Distribution and Use
Data Management
Collection
?
Use a Value Chain to increase your own job success
Don’t be a victim of bias against investments in information management
Think about how to articulate the underlying value of your work and its contribution to larger goals
Use imagery and consistency in your messaging to establish and support your work, and achieve your program’s goals
"It seems to me time for the country to take account of its natural resources, and to inquire how long they are likely to last. We are prosperous now; we should not forget that it will be just as important to our descendants to be prosperous in their time.”
Theodore Roosevelt, White House Conference of Governors, May 1908
©Doug Backlund, South Dakota NHP
Inspiration