The National Vegetation Survey Databank A New Zealand Archive * Wiser, Bellingham & Burrows Managing biodiversity information: development of New Zealand’s National Vegetation Survey Databank. New Zealand Journal of Ecology 25(2): 1-17.

What is NVS? Repository for quantitative vegetation data collected over the past >50 years including: –physical archive of data sheets, maps, photos etc. –electronic archive of vegetation plot data >52,000 unmarked temporary plots >12,000 relocatable permanent plots Built on standardised data collection methods Data contributed and used by Dept. of Conservation, Ministry for the Environment, Landcare Research, Regional Councils, University academics and others

Who is involved? Data entry and administration Michelle Breach Database design and programming Nick Spencer Web design Mark Fuglestad Plant ecologists Peter Bellingham Susan Wiser Larry Burrows Rob Allen Ian Payton Claire Newell Dept. of Conservation Liaison Elaine Wright Database integration and strategy Jerry Cooper Grant Hunter

Types of data collected on plots Species composition (richness/diversity) –Vascular plants –Cryptogams Plant abundance (density, cover, frequency) Plant size (diameter, height, volume, biomass) Location variables (georeference, elevation, aspect, slope…) Range of other miscellaneous measures (leaf chemistry,coarse woody debris, herbivory, light, soils..)

Examples of how NVS data is currently being used - 1 Traditional uses: –Temporary plots used for vegetation description E.g Protected natural area surveys –Permanent plots used for monitoring change in vegetation composition and structure Succession, natural disturbance impacts –Conservation management strategies Managing exotic weed invasions, animal impacts, ecosystem management, conservation planning

Examples of how NVS data is currently being used - 2 Emerging applications : –Use of vegetation structural data for national- level estimates of C storage ( permanent plots) E.g. Kyoto agreement reporting –Developing models to predict occurrence of species in relation to environment (temporary & permanent plots) E.g. Land environments (LENZ) mapping –Examining large-scale patterns of tree mortality with forest type and latitude (permanent plots)

Recent Progress Website for data access and information –‘One stop shop’ –Metadata online –Future location of all data online

Recent Progress Website for data access and information –One stop shop’ Data ownership –Legally binding Data Provision Agreements, Copyright and User/Access Protocol to protect interests of data providers –Need to maintain ‘paper trail’

Recent Progress Website for data access and information –‘One stop shop’ Data ownership –Legally binding Data Provision Agreements, Copyright and User/Access Protocol to protect interests of data providers –Need to maintain ‘paper trail’ Metadata database online – website search tool

Recent Progress Website for data access and information –‘One stop shop’ –Metadata online Data ownership –Legally binding Data Provision Agreements, Copyright and User/Access Protocol to protect interests of data providers –Need to maintain ‘Paper trail’ Metadata database online – website search tool GIS plot location interface –With dynamic link to metadata

Recent Progress Website for data access and information –‘One stop shop’ –Metadata online Data ownership –Legally binding Data Provision Agreements, Copyright and User/Access Protocol to protect interests of data providers –Need to maintain ‘paper trail’ Metadata database online – website search tool GIS plot location interface –With dynamic link to metadata Relational database has been designed and implemented for metadata, composition, site, and forest plot data –Database in MS-Sequel Server, MS-Access front end

Recent Progress Website for data access and information –‘One stop shop’ –Metadata online Data ownership –Legally binding Data Provision Agreements, Copyright and User/Access Protocol to protect interests of data providers –Need to maintain ‘paper trail’ Metadata standards Metadata database online – website Search tool –Includes GIS interface Relational database has been designed and implemented for metadata, composition, site, and forest plot data Initial data quality assessments –Data audit and quality assurance

Issues currently being addressed - 1 Within NVS/Landcare: –Develop generalised data model To handle vegetation data types from all NZ terrestrial ecosystems (forests, grasslands, shrublands, wetlands..) Need to include semi-structured textual data & images –User-needs survey and assessment –Curation of new data, and amalgamating historically important large datasets

Issues currently being addressed - 2 Outside NVS: –Internet mediated data entry, retrieval and analyses (XML web-service-based) –Database integration and linkages (initially Plant Names, but value in linking with Soils and other spatial/non- spatial databases) –Pilot study in NZ on interagency data sharing (DOC)

Future Databank Issues International standards for vegetation data exchange and compatibility –contacts made with VegBank (US) and TurboVeg (EU) Data supply linkages with other agencies Expanding demands –international reporting (carbon, biodiversity) –national initiatives (NHMS) Data summary analysis tools (software) need upgrading and translation to Windows environment Improved interface with other vegetation analysis software Need to review access/use Protocol in light of new technology and wider range of users (national & international) Ensuring compliance with Protocol (national & international)

Acknowledgements Main funding provider Foundation for Research Science & Technology Additional funding support Landcare Research - NSOF Dept. of Conservation