UFORE Project setup

Project setup I The UFORE project process Decide on UFORE analysis Read the Manual Make project decisions Make data collection decisions Set budget, secure funding

Project setup I Oversee data collection QA/QC (Manual!) Data integrity Analyze data Now: Syracuse Future: desktop application Create report Manual Automatic

Project setup II Q1: Study area For what area are you seeking information? What area-wide questions are you trying to answer? Can the boundaries be clearly set?

Project setup II Q2: Sampling type R andom - plots are laid randomly throughout the area Grid - plots are laid on a fixed grid over area Randomized grid – plots are laid randomly within grid cells that are spaced evenly across the area.

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Project setup II Q3: Plot number and size 30 – low budget, high error Near ±35%, depending on parameter 100 – medium budget, medium error Near ±20%, depending on parameter 200 – high budget, low error Near ±12%, depending on parameter Choice depends on local budget and use Typically 0.1 acre circle (37.2’ radius) in size, but other sizes possible—check Manual

ationMickeyMerritt.pdf !

Project setup II Q4: Options Long-Term Data Permanent plots take longer = cost more Recommended b/c allow measuring change Ground Cover Types Local decision on importance Hard to calculate function or value Shrub Data Local decision on importance Apparently minor role, though research poor

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Project setup II Q5: Sub-groups for stratification Significant sub-groups within frame of study Land-use supplies most UFORE “strata” Local data: political (wards), organizational (neighborhoods), regulated units (zones), etc. National data: NLCD Any other possible, as long as it carries a significant impact on distribution of data being collected.

Project setup III Other project needs Digital boundary of study area (e.g., vector GIS file of city boundary) Digital boundaries of individual strata (digitized local maps or GIS layers) Logistical planning Equipment acquisition and training

Feeling…

Project setup III Plot generation Use one of methods discussed earlier Create master map of study area for planning Create individual ground maps for crew Make sure maps are  Scaled  North oriented Angle of view wide enough to locate reference points, narrow enough to see detail

Data collection I Non-field data (from Syracuse) Meteorological data Temperature, wind, etc. Air pollution concentration data 2000 data Outside US, need to get own Boundary layer height measurements Local twice-daily measurement

Data collection I Plot setup Use compass and measuring device to locate plot center from photo and/or map. Get permission to access property, if necessary. At plot center, establish references to permanent fixtures. Determine plot boundaries. Mark cardinal points.

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Data collection II Plot data Land use(s) Cover types, amounts Tree Shrub Plantable space Ground cover types, amounts Shrub types, amounts

Data Collection II Tree data Note: Tree = any woody vegetation, except vine, with a DBH ≥ 1 inch Species DBH Height Crown width Crown parameters (dieback, etc.) Condition Location around buildings

Data Collection II Most fields clear to foresters Exceptions: % Canopy Missing Dieback CLE Adoption/Modification of FIA¹ fields ¹Forest Inventory and Analysis

Data collection II Details on field data in Manual PDF can be searched for field code on desktop Can cut codes from Word document, load on to PDA, search in field Paper form and PDA both coordinate with Manual Field problems not in Manual: i-Tree support

Data collection III Means Paper forms Copies in Manual, instruction binder and on CD One set used per plot  Page 1: plot info, shrubs, ground cover  Page 2: trees PDAs Pocket PC platform (2002 or 2003 version only) Data collection app in final testing Much faster and more accurate, once PDAs learned

Data collection IV Post field data collection Paper form data Enter into Excel ® Send to Syracuse for analysis as *.xls PDA data Upload to host machine In future: will be brought into local app For now: send as (disguised) *.mdb to Syracuse for processing

Data collection V Equipment DBH measurement tool Height measurement tool Compass Linear distance measurement tool Standard outdoor stuff Safety equipment Comfortable clothes Functional gear

Mickey Merritt, Texas Forest Service, *in* some yucky UFORE plot