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
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• 87 correlated ecological sites– 41% correlated to out-of-date MLRAs
• 10% QA check– 100% lacking monthly ppt & temp data– 100% out-of-date State & Transition diagram– 100% lacking community phase photos– 67% lacking inventory data references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• Sage grouse interpretations• Clean up out-of-date MLRAs• Record monthly ppt & temp info• Update S&T diagrams• Take photos of community phases• Conduct inventory of data references– Collect more data as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
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.