Assessing Street Tree Populations with iTree Tools

STRATUM prior to data collection Goals / Setting expectations Data fields to support goals Resources Conducting inventory Paid staff? Contractors? Volunteers? Technology Sampling How much GIS savvy and software/hardware is necessary? Interaction between GIS and iTree software Using the random plot generator

Know the client and client’s needs Identify the client Identify the assignment STRATUM has a LOT of reporting options; providing all may not be helpful What does the client want to know? What else did you find out that may be of interest or value?

Know the client and client’s needs Examples of clients and needs Client: Mayor Assignment: Quantification of ecosystem services Client: City forestry department Assignment: Report on present tree condition and maintenance needs Client: NGO Assignment: Report on stocking levels and enhancement opportunities for planting projects What you report on should be based on your client and their needs (!)

Data needs Existing data? Run on-hand data through STRATUM Sample inventory to be collected? Full inventory to be collected? Define species list Full list is very long; you will save time of you truncate to expected species

Custom configuration

Customize existing data collection tools Create new (Add Other 1, 2, 3 question)

Process issues Will data be collected on PDAs or paper? Is there any stratification (management zones)? NOTE: You cannot stratify random sample by management zones; you can sub-sample each management zone or post-stratify in to management zones

Costs and benefits Benefits data comes pre-loaded Local info is available from source such as d.us/psc/gas/gasCom modity.htm d.us/psc/gas/gasCom modity.htm Program costs may be obtained from local managers

Logistics Who will conduct? Contractors Spec it right and let ‘em run Volunteers Stay tuned for next talk Paid staff Most control if it is a luxury you can afford  Go to assignment; is buy-in (community volunteers) an objective)?

Logistics (cont.) Are you a local? Likely for volunteers You will know where to park, where it is safe, etc. Are you not local? Likely for contractors and possibly for paid staff Will need to know where to park, does it cost, how much… Will need to address safety concerns in your protocols

Tools Biltmore Quick DBH; safety measure If ecollect PDA Extra styli! They are easy to drop GPS If hard copy collect Paper Pencil

Notification Regardless of who performs, recommend that you carry some form of identification associated with your project Carrying a “this is who we are, what we are doing, and why” letter for distribution to curious citizens is recommended

Tech savvy How much do you need? Probably impossible to do with none Difficult to do with some If you have a lot (GIS, GPS, Access, Excel), you can get a great deal of flexibility and do more than the “standard issue”

Do you need GPS? NO iTREE does not presently have a GPS component There is a spatial component that is not required, but lat-long must be entered manually Specific locations would likely provide little value

Is there a benefit to GPS? Yes I used to track pending and completed segments in the field.

Using the random plot generator Install the random plot generator per the iTREE manual You will end up with a “Random Select Roads” tool on your toolbar

Sample size – how big? Sample inventories are generally a 3-6% sample of total street segments General guidelines for sample sizes in communities based on human populations: For communities with less than 50,000 persons, sample size is 6% of total street miles For communities between 50,000 and 150,000 persons, sample size is 5% For communities between 150,000 to 250,000 persons, sample size is 4% For communities over 250,000 persons, sample size is 3%

Use in field

STRATUM prior to data collection Maryland Department of Natural Resources