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Raster Modeling of Indicator Plant Species for Monitoring Restoration of the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem. Michael Rasser University of Texas Marine Science Institute. The Problem. Restoration of Longleaf Pine. Prescribed Fire Planting of Longleaf Seedlings Restoration of ground cover.
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Raster Modeling of Indicator Plant Species for Monitoring Restoration of the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Michael Rasser University of Texas Marine Science Institute
Restoration of Longleaf Pine • Prescribed Fire • Planting of Longleaf Seedlings • Restoration of ground cover
Objectives • Test the efficacy of using the geostatistical analyst to interpolate surfaces of species distribution based on point data. • Generate distribution maps for 7 indicator species important for monitoring restoration success. • Create a map that can be used to prioritize areas for restoration.
Methodology • Geo-reference data from relational database with sample point locations • Determine appropriate geostatistical model to interpolate point layer into raster surface • Create grid surfaces for each of the indicator species. • Create a map of “ecological integrity” that can be used to prioritize restoration areas.
Data • Biological Communities Map (.shp) • Vegetation Sampling Database (MS access) • Property Boundary (.shp) • Sample Point Locations (.shp)
Georeferencing of Tabular Data ARCGIS Attribute Table MS ACCESS
Testing of Geostatistical Models Model Validation
Testing of Geostatistical Models Cross Validation
Development of Ecological Integrity Map Combined 4 species negatively associated with ecological quantity by creating a new raster layer with the mean value.
Reclassification of Cell Values Reclassified 5 layers Woody Species Wire Grass Longleaf Pine Turkey Oak
Creation of Weighted Raster Layer for Ecological Integrity • Weighted species based on Importance • Reclassified after weighting to create 0 – 10 scale
Incorporated Existing Biological Community Map Convert Grid to shapefile Clip shapefile with existing biological communities shapefile to exclude all but longleaf pine community