Geospatial Organization and Access to Springs Survey Data

in Kaibab National ForestJeri Ledbetter, MGIS Candidate

Douglas Miller, Graduate AdvisorJuly 6, 2011

• 17% of endangered animals, and many rare species are springs- specialists

• Particularly in arid climates, ecologically vital islands of habitat that support high biodiversity and endemism

• Enormous cultural and economic significance

• Little inventory, assessment, or understanding of springs ecology and conservation

Why Study Springs?

Springs support high species richness and endemism

• Groundwater depletion and pollution

• Invasive species

• Mining

• Development

• Diversions

• Recreational use

• Grazing and trampling

• Climate change

Inadequate Protection

Management Number % Impaired

All Springs 101 82.2

BLM Springs 28 100.0

NFS Springs 18 83.3

NPS Springs 49 69.4

Private Springs 6 100.0

Grand Canyon Wildlands Council Study in 2005Springs Impairment

• Arizona likely has the highest density of springs in the country

• Clustered along escarpments

• NHD Database, AZ State Land Office layers

incomplete

• 10,330 + ?

Incomplete Mapping

Inadequate Study

• Springs ecosystems are extremely complex

• Until recently, no consistent methodology for survey and assessment of springs ecology–researchers looking at their own versions of an elephant • Very little comprehensive research of springs ecology across a landscape

• What little information exists is fragmented and largely inaccessible to land managers and researchers

Springs Inventory Protocols

Stevens, Springer, and Ledbetter 2010

Project Objectives1) Develop a technological framework that will support collaborative scientific efforts and conservation planning among local watershed and conservation groups, Indigenous Tribes, researchers, & agencies

•Complete development of and publish database based on protocols developed by Stevens et al (2010)•Develop portal with robust information about springs ecology and research•Design interfaces with geospatial tools for contribution and exploration of springs data

2) Develop North Kaibab Ranger District as a prototype to demonstrate how this technology will be applied to other landscapes

•Compile springs datasets into geodatabase•Compile survey data into springs database through collaboration and data mining•Survey additional springs and locate unmapped springs•Make data accessible through portal and geospatial tools

Springs Inventory Database

Springs Inventory Database

Portal at springstewardship.org

1. Provide information about springs ecology

2. Publish survey protocols to encourage use of standard methodology

3. Share data online

4. Provide community- building technology (forums, networking tools, news updates) to coordinate research efforts

•Interactive maps

•Spatial query of data

•Contribution of data

Online Geocollaboration

Current Study Areas

Content Management System (Expression Engine)•Facilitates online collaboration and sharing of data•Controls access to data•Allows multiple collaborators to edit content

Prototype - Kaibab National Forest, North Kaibab Ranger District

>1000 square miles of rugged terrain on the North Rim of Grand Canyon, with >1300 meters vertical relief

Previously unmapped spring

Compilation of Location Data

SourcesAgencies US Forest Service Bureau of Land Management National Park Service Arizona State Land Office USGS studies, NHD Database

Maps DRGs Forest Service Maps USGS Topographic Maps

Previous Studies Brown and Moran 1979 Grand Canyon Wildlands Council 2004 Grand Canyon Trust

Other Researchers Glenn Rink, Botanist Andrew Mouro, GIS Analyst Larry Stevens Steve Monroe, National Park Service Robert Dye, backcountry hiker

Compilation of Data from Previous SurveysCollected Using Different Protocols

Collaboration &Partnerships

Agencies

Public documents – Environmental Impact Statements

Other Researchers – current work, past publications & theses

Site selection from 114 springs

• Cluster analysis• Elevational histogram +/- 1850 meters• Applied random numbers• Prioritized sites with little or no data• Prioritized representation in each cluster

Located 6 unmapped springs and unmapped aquifer. Full survey data for 70 springs.

Springs Surveys May and June 2011

Kaibab National Forest Interactive Map

Currently—WMS using GeoServer and OpenLayersFuture development—WFS with enhanced capabilities

Timeline

11/1110/11

Database

Develop PortalGeospatial

tools

12/11 2/12 3/121/129/118/117/11

Surveys/compilation

6/11

Launch prototype

Peer-ReviewedArticle

Accessibility of comprehensive springs dataCommunity building through collaborative geospatial tools

Land Agencies Predict impacts of events (fire, invasive species) using online maps Predict impacts of management decisions

Researchers Reduce duplication of effort through collaboration Query data to analyze complex relationships of springs characteristics Develop a better understanding of springs ecology Predict effects of climate change

Conservation organizations Predict potential impacts Reduce duplication, increase collaboration

North Kaibab Ranger District Prioritize springs restoration projects Robust dataset of springs across a landscape

Anticipated Results

Applications – Wildfire

Applications – Impacts from Nonnative Species

Photo by Jessica Pope

Geospatial Organization and Access to Springs Survey Data

in Kaibab National ForestJeri Ledbetter, MGIS CandidateDoug Miller, Graduate Advisor

more information and references atspringstewardship.org