MLRA-SSO Responsibilities for Ecological Site Inventory

Curtis TalbotRangeland Mgt Specialist

National Soil Survey CenterMarch 24, 2011

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.

National Bulletin – March 3, 2010Acceleration 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

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

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

Examples of possible MLRA-SSO Ecological Site Workflow

Office with dedicated ESI-QC position

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)

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• 87 correlated ecological sites– 41% correlated to out-of-date MLRAs

• 10% QA check– 100% lacking monthly ppt & temp data– 100% out-of-date State & Transition diagram– 100% lacking community phase photos– 67% lacking inventory data references

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• Sage grouse interpretations• Clean up out-of-date MLRAs• Record monthly ppt & temp info• Update S&T diagrams• Take photos of community phases• Conduct inventory of data references– Collect more data as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

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

Examples of possible MLRA-SSO Ecological Site Workflow

Office without dedicated ESI-QC position

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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.

Questions ??