Monitoring_Information_for_Contractors.docx

PHOTOS

· ALL points: Cardinal directions- 4 total photos.

Naming convention should include the cardinal direction extension.

Example (of file name once downloaded from device or camera):

Minidoka_Planting_001_N Minidoka_Planting_001_E Minidoka_Planting_001_S Minidoka_Planting_001_W

· Blue or black marker if using white board

· ¾ landscape, ¼ sky

· Project name, point and/or plot number, date, direction or azimuth, and initials of crew members present

· Make sure the azimuth is the correct azimuth for the direction you are capturing.

· The underscores are not required in the ContextCam labels, but it is how we organize the photos once downloaded/imported to a computer.

· If project names are long, truncate in the ContextCam label (otherwise point numbers or other pertinent information gets hidden).

· In Settings, Format and Units- Select Location Format to Lat/Lon (Decimal Minutes) and Direction North Reference to Magnetic North.

· Attach in GeoPlatform.

Example (using ContextCam app):

Example (using digital camera):

GPS/GIS

GeoPlatform

· GeoPlatform is the method of GPS data collection. Only those set up with Geoplatform will be able to collect data. Access will need to be set up before field data collection.

· The naming convention of the plot will already be set.

· All monitoring points will be consolidated on one map, each colored with associated protocols (Blue- cover & density, green- belt transect, etc.)

· If there is a seed mix associated with that project, it will be listed in the attribute table

· All that is needed for all ESR GPS points for 2024:

· Feature Collected- yes/no option

· Add attachments (photos)

· Remember: Attach ContextCam photos using the camera icon.

FFI

Here are a few tips and pointers:

· Current version: 1.05.13

· Import/Export CSV within the Data Entry and Edit tab.

· Change/check the date after you have entered or transferred data

· Double check codes and status. Make sure all codes are in caps (those codes are pulled from the PLANTS Database).

· Include the Status on each strata. When we generate reports, one of our filters is whether it is LIVE, DEAD, or NOT ASSESSED. It makes a significant difference when this column is not filled out correctly. If you are hitting rock/soil/BG, NOT APPLICABLE will be the code to use.

· Identify whether it is a canopy or a surface hit.

· Fill sections completely (header info on top of data portion).

· Project Management tab- The only steps you will need to accomplish in this tab is to change date, and to Import/Export.

· Data Entry and Edit tab - Collect all pertinent information; whatever protocols are associated with that point will be separated by tabs at the top.

· Have all the dimensions filled in the top section before collecting data. If you do not and try to save, you will get errors.

· You can remove/add columns in the data field by selecting the ‘VIEW’ button. Some columns are required and cannot be removed.

· Any column with the padlock is a required field.

· A picklist can be created to narrow down the selection of plants in the Species Management tab.

· Reports can be exported once data collection is complete and verified in the Reports and Analysis tab.

· Save often and frequently.

PROTOCOLS

· Photos: Cardinal directions (4 total)

· Plot Description: Fill in as much as you can. Collect these fields:

· Vegetation - Shrub and Herbaceous Cover

· Ground Cover

· Vegetation – Composition

· Comments: General notes and observations of the plot not captured in other methods/protocols.

· Photos are not required.

· Density quadrats (meter x ½ meter): Triad/Spoke design

· Dimensions: Meter x ½ meter

· 5 quadrats per transect- 15’, 35’, 55’, 75’, 95’. Total of 15 quads per plot.

· Count live species only (current years’ growth)

· In FFI: Length- 3.3’ Width- 1.6’ Area- 5.28’

· Density belt transects: ONE transect

· One 100’ transect at 0°

· 3’ on either side of tape

· Count shrub species (ARTRW8, PUTR2, ACMI2, whatever is on seed mix list)

· In FFI: Length- 100’ Width- 6’ Area- 600’

· Cover- Point: Triad/Spoke design

· Three 100’ tapes at 0°, 120° and 240°

· Collect species hits and heights at every point. Max number of hits per point = 5.

· Collect every 4’, starting at 4’

· 25 points total for each transect, 75 total per plot

· Species Inventory List- Use modified TFD Fuels form

· Unknown Species- Use form from Monitoring Manual

· Seed mix lists, treatments, data collection forms, species list with common codes, etc. will be provided.

· The overall process will still be treated as if it is an AIM plot. The philosophy is the same; the protocols are a just a little different for our needs. Calibration forms for these protocols will be recommended and provided. Soil pits will not be collected at any of our sites.

EQUIPMENT

Refer to the Equipment Checklist document.

MAPS

Every protocol (cover, density & belt, and belt transect, etc.) will have an associated color:

Green: Belt Transect Pink: Cover, density, belt transect image1.JPG image2.jpeg image3.jpeg