Start Date
3-7-2022 12:00 AM
End Date
3-7-2022 12:00 AM
Abstract
At a time when conditions are rapidly changing and effective restoration is imperative, Ash Creek Forest Management is developing a method to record site and treatment data for restoration projects. Collected daily in the field by restoration crews, the data will offer a systematic way of tracking changing conditions and will capture on-the-ground knowledge to evaluate restoration strategies. Data will be collected in two categories, reflecting the majority of the work we do: invasive species management (typically spraying herbicide, cutting, mowing, handpulling) and native plant installation. In easy-to-use Microsoft forms we will collect observations about site ecology, treatment methods and intensity, weather/ground conditions, and worker perceptions of the day’s treatment/s. Using Power Automate, observations will automatically populate an Excel spreadsheet; we also will produce a readout for each submission to archive with project plans. The spreadsheet will be searchable and sortable based on site or question. Through this process we will accomplish multiple goals: collect baseline data on weed management and planting practices; create a record-keeping system to support further research into treatment strategies; and document anomalies or issues for followup. We also will foster workers’ awareness of plant communities and conditions, and demonstrate the value of the observations our crews already make while doing on-the-ground restoration work every day. Crews will be field-testing the data collection forms starting January 2022. We look forward to updating this project with initial data and lessons learned over the next year.
Subjects
Habitat assessment, Habitat restoration, Land/watershed management
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/38010
Rights
© Copyright the author(s)
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Field Crews as Data Collectors for Effective Restoration
At a time when conditions are rapidly changing and effective restoration is imperative, Ash Creek Forest Management is developing a method to record site and treatment data for restoration projects. Collected daily in the field by restoration crews, the data will offer a systematic way of tracking changing conditions and will capture on-the-ground knowledge to evaluate restoration strategies. Data will be collected in two categories, reflecting the majority of the work we do: invasive species management (typically spraying herbicide, cutting, mowing, handpulling) and native plant installation. In easy-to-use Microsoft forms we will collect observations about site ecology, treatment methods and intensity, weather/ground conditions, and worker perceptions of the day’s treatment/s. Using Power Automate, observations will automatically populate an Excel spreadsheet; we also will produce a readout for each submission to archive with project plans. The spreadsheet will be searchable and sortable based on site or question. Through this process we will accomplish multiple goals: collect baseline data on weed management and planting practices; create a record-keeping system to support further research into treatment strategies; and document anomalies or issues for followup. We also will foster workers’ awareness of plant communities and conditions, and demonstrate the value of the observations our crews already make while doing on-the-ground restoration work every day. Crews will be field-testing the data collection forms starting January 2022. We look forward to updating this project with initial data and lessons learned over the next year.