MLRASSO Responsibilities for Ecological Site Inventory Curtis Talbot

MLRA-SSO Responsibilities for Ecological Site Inventory Curtis Talbot Rangeland Mgt Specialist National Soil Survey Center March 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, 2010 Acceleration 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Status of ecological sites in 4 -4 • 87 correlated ecological sites – 41% correlated to out-of-date MLRAs • 10% QA check – 100% lacking monthly ppt & temp data – 100% out-of-date State & Transition diagram – 100% lacking community phase photos – 67% lacking inventory data references

Possible update projects • • • Sage grouse interpretations Clean up out-of-date MLRAs Record monthly ppt & temp info Update S&T diagrams Take photos of community phases Conduct inventory of data references – Collect more data as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 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 (x 2) Resource Conservationist • Area Staffing • • • Conservation Forester Resource Conservationist(x 23) Resource Soil Scientist (x 2) Soil Conservationist (x 8) WRP Specialist • Illinois DNR, Nature Conservancy, USFS

Ecological Site Responsibility of the MLRA-SSO Project Leader With ESI-QC position 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 ? ?