Jennifer Stingelin Keefer, Penn State Jen Fox, Stacy Holt NPSpecies Clean-up and Certification Progress Update MOJN Technical Committee Meeting September 14, 2010

2  Prepare NPSpecies databases for taxonomic review and coordinate and complete the second round of reviews and certifications for the following taxonomic categories: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and vascular plants. Primary Objective

3 NPSpecies Data Management Goals Data will be:  Current, high quality, accurate and scientifically-credible  Relevant to current management practices  Discoverable in the right context and scope (NPSpecies vs. NatureBib)

4 NPSpecies Database Workflow  Data from park research Inventories or Monitoring Programs  Compliance activities  Incidental observations  Data mining to locate legacy data: museum vouchers, literature, and park files Data AcquisitionData EntryQuality Assurance/ Quality Control Data Use  Ensure use of NER Data Entry Standards Manual  Enter new data  Enter legacy data  Verify existing data  Flag sensitive species  Track Database Changes  Ensure use of NER Data Entry Standards Manual  Prepare databases for taxonomic expert review and verification  Assist taxonomic experts with database verification  Review and submit QA Certification document and data for upload  Assist NPS staff with database use  Ensure data is online for public viewing  Manage Logins

5 Where Are We in the Process?  Removed thousands of references and species not relevant to each park.  Searching for and scanning references.  In some cases, adding and editing voucher data.  Beginning to certify data as all park references are verified.

6 DEVAGRBAJOTRLAKEMANZMOJAPARA Reference Totals March Current Deletions Species Totals March Current Deletions Reference and Species Deletions By Park

7 Why Aren’t We Farther Along Than We Are?

8  Loss of personnel (2 data miners)  References housed at parks  Most references are not in electronic format  Certification and taxa expert assistance (NPS and Non-NPS) = time and $$ Bottlenecks & Hurdles

NPSpecies Clean-up Project Initiated March 2010 NPSpecies Clean-up Project Cooperative Agreement ends March 2011 ? A one year timeline for this project was never realistic. We are looking for ways to continue the process in the most efficient and effective way in light of the hurdles and bottlenecks that stand in our way. June 2010 MANZ Certification began Timeline

10 So What’s Next?  Continue to find and scan documents as personnel are available to do so.  Begin data review and certification of park databases where reference verification has been completed.  Work with Network personnel to obtain funding for outside taxa expert assistance where needed.

11 Questions? Jennifer Stingelin Keefer NPSpecies Project Coordinator Mojave Desert Network (MOJN) Phone: