1. MLRA-SSO Responsibilities for Ecological Site Inventory Curtis Talbot Rangeland Mgt Specialist National Soil Survey Center March 24, 2011

2. Myths to dispel Soil Survey is now in charge of ecological site descriptions. If my MLRA-SSO does not have an ecological site inventory specialist, then I have no (or lesser) responsibility for ecological site inventory.

3. National Bulletin – March 3, 2010 Acceleration in Ecological Site Description Inventory and Implementation SSRA…increasing support for…ESDs National positions Quality Assurance positions (MLRA-RO) Quality Control positions (MLRA-SSO) Supplements…ongoing development S&T…continue to provide technical expertise Distribution of responsibilities…acceleration, expansion, integration

6. Role of MLRA-SSO Long-range plan Scheduling work activities Leadership for technical team Update of soil surveys Providing management of activities Keeping maps and data current

7. Role of MLRA-SSO (cont.) Improve digital line work Perform investigations Conduct quality control Develop project and annual plans Follow standards, policy, & procedure Support NCSS initiatives

8. Examples of possible MLRA-SSO Ecological Site Workflow Office with dedicated ESI-QC position

9. Powell, WY MLRA-SSO 4-4 Soil QA: MO-4, Bozeman, MT Ecological Inventory QA: MO-1, Portland, OR 1 MLRA Project Leader 2 Soil Scientists 1 Rangeland Management Specialist (ESI-QC)

10. Status of ecological sites in 4-4 87 correlated ecological sites – 41% correlated to out-of-date MLRAs 10% QA check – 100% lacking monthly ppt & temp data – 100% out-of-date State & Transition diagram – 100% lacking community phase photos – 67% lacking inventory data references

11. Possible update projects Sage grouse interpretations Clean up out-of-date MLRAs Record monthly ppt & temp info Update S&T diagrams Take photos of community phases Conduct inventory of data references – Collect more data as appropriate

12. Staffing resources – ESI-QC – State Rangeland Mgt Specialist – State Wildlife Biologist – Greybull RMS (48 miles) – Thermopolis RMS (108 miles) – Worland RMS (86 miles) – Worland WGF Habitat Ext. Biol. – BLM, NPS, USFS

13. Examples of possible MLRA-SSO Ecological Site Workflow Office without dedicated ESI-QC position

14. Carbondale, IL MLRA-SSO 11-5 Soil QA: MO-11, Indianapolis, IN Ecological Inventory QA: MO-10, St. Paul, MN 1 MLRA Project Leader 4 Soil Scientists 1 Resource Analyst (GIS) 1 Regional Representative

15. Status of ecological sites in 11-5 Currently no ecological sites White, J., and M.H. Madany. 1978. Classification of natural communities in Illinois. Pages 309-405 in J. White, ed., Illinois natural areas inventory technical report. Vol. I. Survey methods and results. Illinois Natural Areas Inventory, Urbana. – 74 communities Voigt, J.W. and R.H. Mohlenbrock. 1964. Plant communities of Southern Illinois. Southern Illinois University Press. – 13 communities

16. Possible update projects Research soil correlation potential of plant communities Validate amounts of vegetation Research historical vegetation literature Identify sampling locations of major plant communities Collect field data

17. Staffing resources ESI-QC (Milan, TN…142 miles) State Resource Conservationist Biologist Forester Grasslands Specialist (x2) Resource Conservationist Area Staffing Conservation Forester Resource Conservationist(x23) Resource Soil Scientist (x2) Soil Conservationist (x8) WRP Specialist Illinois DNR, Nature Conservancy, USFS

18. Ecological Site Responsibility of the MLRA-SSO Project Leader With ESI-QC position Manage long range plan Schedule and manage work activities Lead technical team Keep maps and data current Perform/schedule investigations Conduct quality control Develop project and annual plans Follow standards, policy, & procedure Support NCSS initiatives Without ESI-QC position Manage long range plan Schedule and manage work activities Lead technical team Keep maps and data current Perform/schedule investigations Conduct quality control Develop project and annual plans Follow standards, policy, & procedure Support NCSS initiatives

19. Ecological Site Inventory Suggestions for the MLRA-SSO Contact ESI-QA Specialist Ask for assistance with informal ecological site status review Identify (w/ technical team) possible update projects for inclusion in long-range plan Identify technical specialists needed for selected projects Report progress (not mandatory for FY-11)

20. Myths to dispel Soil Survey is now in charge of ecological site descriptions. Ecological site efforts are balanced between Soil Survey (SSRA) and Ecological Sciences (S&T). If my MLRA-SSO does not have an ecological site inventory specialist, then I have no (or lesser) responsibility for ecological site inventory. The MLRA-SSO has a consistent role in ecological site inventory, regardless of current staffing.

21. Questions ??