Preliminary
Survey: Assessment Methods
Below
is a preliminary survey. We are gathering basic information about available
methods that are and/or can be used by the National Park Service. We
recognize that that there are many approaches to ecological assessment
ranging from the measurement of specific nutrients in a stream to reporting
changes in acreages of a particular habitat based on remote sensing.
All of these approaches are important; however, we are focusing on methods
(see Glossary) that can
be used by park managers at the planning level. The list of Compiled
Methods illustrates part of our realm of interest. The range of
methods we are interested in include:
1. Landscape scale methods (e.g., GIS based methods)
2. Site-specific scale methods. Methods used on individual
relatively small sites (i.e., for ambient monitoring, impact assessment
for Section 404 permit actions, monitoring restoration sites)
NPS wants to identify replicable, standardized methods that can be used
at several park units. The scale of assessment will vary since the parks
differ in size. For example, an inventory of existing habitat may be
appropriate for the initial assessment of large park units. The assessment
may entail the identification, delineation, classification, and mapping
of specific habitat types. Therefore, we are interested in classification
schemes that being used.
Since
the NPS must report on the condition of park units, we are especially
interested in methods that measure ecological (including hydrological)
condition. A variety of terms are used depending upon the method (e.g.,
functional capacity, biological integrity, proper functioning condition,
functionality), but basically these methods aim to provide a measure
of condition. These measures can then be used to report on past, current,
and projected future conditions.
We are using this survey to uncover the full set of available methods.
If you have information that you would like to share on methods already
listed (e.g., additional references, updated version, new contact person),
please feel free to complete the survey.
Instructions:
Check the list of Compiled
Methods. If you have updated information on these
methods (e.g., new publication) OR know of a new method
that is not included, please complete the following.
Note: we are also interested in methods under development. This is a
preliminary survey to gather methods. We will review the documents,
extract key information, and request the key contact/author to verify
the content of our summary before publication.
BEGIN
GENERAL SURVEY
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Survey
Updated:
Jan. 27, 2004