nrcs national ecological site handbook webinar april 18, 2013 george peacock, team leader national...

NRCS NationalEcological Site

HandbookWebinar

April 18, 2013George Peacock, Team LeaderNational Grazing Lands Team

Central National Technology Support Centerand

Susan Andrews, National LeaderSoil Quality and Ecosystems Branch

National Soil Survey Center

ESD Standards Purpose:ESD Standards Purpose:

PURPOSE:

Provide standards, guidelines, definitions, policy, responsibilities, and procedures for conducting the collaborative process of ESD development.

Interdisciplinary

Interagency

Non-governmental organizations

Universities

Other partners

PURPOSE:

Provide standards, guidelines, definitions, policy, responsibilities, and procedures for conducting the collaborative process of ESD development.

Interdisciplinary

Interagency

Non-governmental organizations

Universities

Other partners

NRCS National Ecological Site Handbook

(NESH)

NRCS National Ecological Site Handbook

(NESH)Developed cooperatively between Soil Science and Resource Assessment (SSRA) and Science and Technology (S&T) Deputy Areas

National Soil Quality and Ecosystems Branch

National Grazing Lands Team National Technology Support Centers State Staffs Soil Survey Regional Offices Other SSRA and S&T Staff

Developed cooperatively between Soil Science and Resource Assessment (SSRA) and Science and Technology (S&T) Deputy Areas

National Soil Quality and Ecosystems Branch

National Grazing Lands Team National Technology Support Centers State Staffs Soil Survey Regional Offices Other SSRA and S&T Staff

Major Sections of the NESH Major Sections of the NESH

Section I – Policy and Procedures

Section II – ES Concept and Description Development

Section III – Delineation and Mapping, Hierarchies, and Other Vegetation Classification and Stratification Schemes

Glossary

References

Section I – Policy and Procedures

Section II – ES Concept and Description Development

Section III – Delineation and Mapping, Hierarchies, and Other Vegetation Classification and Stratification Schemes

Glossary

References

Webinar OverviewBrief overview of draft NESH: Released - National

Bulletin 190-13-9

Section II – ES Concept & Description Development

Brief preview of Section III

Comments due by May 15th to [email protected] or [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


NESH Section II Contents NESH Section II Contents


Part 400 – ES Characterization Concepts

Part 500 – Steps for ES Differentiation & Development

Part 501 – Sampling Methods (reserved)

Part 502 – ES Naming Protocols

Part 503 – Ecological Site Keys

Part 504 – Contents of ESDs

Part 506 – Data Storage (reserved)


Part 400 – ES Characterization Concepts

Part 500 – Steps for ES Differentiation & Development

Part 501 – Sampling Methods (reserved)

Part 502 – ES Naming Protocols

Part 503 – Ecological Site Keys

Part 504 – Contents of ESDs

Part 506 – Data Storage (reserved)

NESH Section II, Part 400 ES Characterization Concepts

NESH Section II, Part 400 ES Characterization Concepts

Part 400.00 – Purpose

Part 400.01 – Definition

Part 400.02 – Defining the ES Concept Identification and characterization of ESs

are based on the premise that: composition, structure, and function of plant

communities (and ecosystem functions) are regulated along energy, moisture, and nutrient gradients and disturbance regimes

Gradients occur due to differences in microclimate, geology, lithology, topography and soil characteristics

Part 400.00 – Purpose

Part 400.01 – Definition

Part 400.02 – Defining the ES Concept Identification and characterization of ESs

are based on the premise that: composition, structure, and function of plant

communities (and ecosystem functions) are regulated along energy, moisture, and nutrient gradients and disturbance regimes

Gradients occur due to differences in microclimate, geology, lithology, topography and soil characteristics

Environmental gradients

Natural disturbance regimes

Environmental gradients

Natural disturbance regimes

ES concept is based on reference conditions (Reference State) which formed as a result of interacting

ES concept is based on reference conditions (Reference State) which formed as a result of interacting

NESH Section II, Part 400.02Defining the ES Concept

NESH Section II, Part 400.02Defining the ES Concept

Section II, Parts 400.03-400.04Section II, Parts 400.03-400.04Part 400.03 - Interpreting Ecological Dynamics

Ecological dynamics describe changes to vegetation and soils, and the causes of those changes

State-and-Transition Models (STMs) illustrate ecological dynamics of an ES

Part 400.04 – Components of an STM

Part 400.03 - Interpreting Ecological Dynamics

Ecological dynamics describe changes to vegetation and soils, and the causes of those changes

State-and-Transition Models (STMs) illustrate ecological dynamics of an ES

Part 400.04 – Components of an STM

Section II, Part 400.05Role of STMs

Section II, Part 400.05Role of STMs

STMs are conceptual diagrams with narratives to describe: Reference and alternative states, Processes of plant community shifts within

states, Transitions between states, and Restoration to a previous state.

The goal in producing STMs is to provide a conceptual understanding of: Ecological dynamics that can occur on an ES Drivers and mechanisms of ecosystem

change Management actions that can be used to

influence change

STMs are conceptual diagrams with narratives to describe: Reference and alternative states, Processes of plant community shifts within

states, Transitions between states, and Restoration to a previous state.

The goal in producing STMs is to provide a conceptual understanding of: Ecological dynamics that can occur on an ES Drivers and mechanisms of ecosystem

change Management actions that can be used to

influence change

Section II, Parts 400.06-400.07Section II, Parts 400.06-400.07

Part 400.06 – General Guidelines for Developing STMs All states and community phases that are

typical and known to occur should be described

Include “at-risk community” phases Where time scales of community pathways or

transitions are known, they should be described

Part 400.07 - Recognizing a State Change Versus a Different ES As long as the soil and physiographic

characteristics remain unchanged, a new ES is not merited.

The inability to restore an alternative state to reference state due to lack of knowledge, technology, or cost does not warrant a new ES.

Part 400.06 – General Guidelines for Developing STMs All states and community phases that are

typical and known to occur should be described

Include “at-risk community” phases Where time scales of community pathways or

transitions are known, they should be described

Part 400.07 - Recognizing a State Change Versus a Different ES As long as the soil and physiographic

characteristics remain unchanged, a new ES is not merited.

The inability to restore an alternative state to reference state due to lack of knowledge, technology, or cost does not warrant a new ES.

NESH Section II, Part 500Steps for ES Differentiation and Developments of ESDs

NESH Section II, Part 500Steps for ES Differentiation and Developments of ESDs

500.00 PurposeDifferentiation and description of ecological sites (ESs) involve several steps: preliminary stages, iterative stages, and final stages. Strong interdisciplinary participation is critical to the ESD development process

500.00 PurposeDifferentiation and description of ecological sites (ESs) involve several steps: preliminary stages, iterative stages, and final stages. Strong interdisciplinary participation is critical to the ESD development process

500.01 Preliminary Stages

Establish Local Work Groups

Define Geographic/Ecological Extent

Gather Background Information

Evaluate Existing Data

Conduct Reconnaissance (Low Intensity Traverses)

Develop STMs

Develop Sampling Strategy

Sampling Methods

Establish Local Work Groups

Define Geographic/Ecological Extent

Gather Background Information

Evaluate Existing Data

Conduct Reconnaissance (Low Intensity Traverses)

Develop STMs

Develop Sampling Strategy

Sampling Methods

500.02 Iterative Stages

Data Collection (Medium Intensity Sampling)

Data Analysis

Define Differentiating Characteristics of ES

Field Test the ES Concept

Data Collection (Medium Intensity Sampling)

Data Analysis

Define Differentiating Characteristics of ES

Field Test the ES Concept

500.03 Final Stages

Data Collection (High Intensity Sampling)

Type Location Data

Develop Management Interpretations

Correlation (process)

Data Collection (High Intensity Sampling)

Type Location Data

Develop Management Interpretations

Correlation (process)

NESH Section 2, Part 501Sampling Methods

NESH Section 2, Part 501Sampling Methods

Part 501 – RESERVED

Will provide sampling design, methods, and attributes recommended for data collection

Will differentiate between methods at various levels of data collection intensity

Part 501 – RESERVED

Will provide sampling design, methods, and attributes recommended for data collection

Will differentiate between methods at various levels of data collection intensity

NESH Section 2, Part 502ES Naming Protocols

NESH Section 2, Part 502ES Naming Protocols

502.00 Instructions for a standardized naming 502.01 Common name

Unique to MLRA or LRU Minimum number of descriptors (e.g., soil, landscape,

climate) 502.02 Secondary plant community name

Scientific and common names Three strata; two species per stratum

502.03 - Instructions for ES ID Includes MLRA, LRU and 3-digit site #

502.04 - State and community phase names Reference and representative

502.05 – Labeling STMs

Exhibits

502.00 Instructions for a standardized naming 502.01 Common name

Unique to MLRA or LRU Minimum number of descriptors (e.g., soil, landscape,

climate) 502.02 Secondary plant community name

Scientific and common names Three strata; two species per stratum

502.03 - Instructions for ES ID Includes MLRA, LRU and 3-digit site #

502.04 - State and community phase names Reference and representative

502.05 – Labeling STMs

Exhibits

NESH Section 2, Part 503Ecological Site Keys

NESH Section 2, Part 503Ecological Site Keys

503.00 – Optional tool for identification and differentiation of ESs

Primarily based on abiotic factors Scale is MLRA or subunit, e.g., LRU or subsection

503.01 – Factors used in ES keys Soil Topography Climate

503.02 – ES key types Dichotomous Flow charts Matrices

Exhibits

503.00 – Optional tool for identification and differentiation of ESs

Primarily based on abiotic factors Scale is MLRA or subunit, e.g., LRU or subsection

503.01 – Factors used in ES keys Soil Topography Climate

503.02 – ES key types Dichotomous Flow charts Matrices

Exhibits

NESH Section II, Part 504Contents of ESDs


504.00 Purpose and Background Information

Describes each element contained in an ESD.

504.01 General Information ES name ES ID number Hierarchical Framework Relationships ES Concept narrative

504.02 Physiographic Features504.03 Climatic Features

504.00 Purpose and Background Information

Describes each element contained in an ESD.

504.01 General Information ES name ES ID number Hierarchical Framework Relationships ES Concept narrative

504.02 Physiographic Features504.03 Climatic Features



504.04 Influencing Water Features504.05 Representative Soil Features504.06 State and Community Phase section

Ecological Dynamics of the ES STM Diagram Photos

504.04 Influencing Water Features504.05 Representative Soil Features504.06 State and Community Phase section

Ecological Dynamics of the ES STM Diagram Photos



504.06 State and Community Phase – cont.Reference State Narrative Community Phase s Species Productivity Total Annual Production Canopy or Foliar Cover Structure Ground Surface Cover Overstory Canopy Cover Understory Phase Growth Curves

504.06 State and Community Phase – cont.Reference State Narrative Community Phase s Species Productivity Total Annual Production Canopy or Foliar Cover Structure Ground Surface Cover Overstory Canopy Cover Understory Phase Growth Curves

Alternative States Narrative For data-supported

Community Phases, complete appropriate sections identified for Reference State

Alternative States Narrative For data-supported

Community Phases, complete appropriate sections identified for Reference State



504.07 ES Interpretations Wildlife Habitat Domestic and Feral Animals Hydrology Functions Recreational Uses Wood Products Other Products

504.07 ES Interpretations Wildlife Habitat Domestic and Feral Animals Hydrology Functions Recreational Uses Wood Products Other Products

NESH Section II, Parts 504.08-504.10

NESH Section II, Parts 504.08-504.10

504.08 Supporting Information Associated Sites Similar Sites Agency/State Correlation Type Locality Relationship to Established

Frameworks and/or Other Classifications

Other References

504.08 Supporting Information Associated Sites Similar Sites Agency/State Correlation Type Locality Relationship to Established

Frameworks and/or Other Classifications

Other References

504.09 Rangeland Health Reference Sheet504.10 ESD Signatures (see Part 300)

504.09 Rangeland Health Reference Sheet504.10 ESD Signatures (see Part 300)

Section II, Part 506Data Storage

Reserved Will provide details of how to manage

and store hard copy and electronic information.

NESH Section III Contents NESH Section III Contents

Section III – Delineation and Mapping, Hierarchies, and Other Vegetation Classification and Stratification Schemes (all reserved)

Part 600 – Related Stratification Schemes*

Part 700 – Delineation and Mapping of ESs

Part 800 – Benchmark ESs

Part 900 – ES Relationships with Other Classification and Mapping Hierarchies

Glossary

References

*Placeholder until pilots are completed in out-years

Section III – Delineation and Mapping, Hierarchies, and Other Vegetation Classification and Stratification Schemes (all reserved)

Part 600 – Related Stratification Schemes*

Part 700 – Delineation and Mapping of ESs

Part 800 – Benchmark ESs

Part 900 – ES Relationships with Other Classification and Mapping Hierarchies

Glossary

References

*Placeholder until pilots are completed in out-years

SummarySummary

Today’s webinar gave an overview of Section II – Ecological Site Concept and Description Development

Comments are due May 15th on both Sections

Send comments or suggestions to Susan Andrews and/or George Peacock at:

[email protected]@ftw.usda.gov

Today’s webinar gave an overview of Section II – Ecological Site Concept and Description Development

Comments are due May 15th on both Sections

Send comments or suggestions to Susan Andrews and/or George Peacock at:

[email protected]@ftw.usda.gov





nrcs national ecological site handbook webinar april 18, 2013 george peacock, team leader national...

Documents