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Element Occurrence Concepts Part 1. Jennifer Nichols Natural Heritage Methodology Training February 26, 2008. Element Occurrence Concepts Part 1. Definition, Relationships, Labels, and Specifications. Jennifer Nichols Natural Heritage Methodology Training February 26, 2008. Session Topics.
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Element Occurrence Concepts Part 1 Jennifer NicholsNatural Heritage Methodology TrainingFebruary 26, 2008
Element Occurrence Concepts Part 1 Definition, Relationships, Labels, and Specifications Jennifer NicholsNatural Heritage Methodology TrainingFebruary 26, 2008
Session Topics 1. Background and context 2. Definition of an EO 3. Relationships between EOs 4. Labels for EOs 5. EO specifications
EO Data Standard • Methodology developed through the EO Design Project • Collaborative effort by a team comprised of central and heritage program staff • Project was established to improve the consistency and accuracy of EO data throughout the NatureServe network
Is this an EO? • Red-cockaded woodpecker nesting in a tree on the edge of a golf course • Sighting of a black bear in suburban area • Dead black swamp snake • Deserted nest How many EOs are there? • Marshallia patches on different gravel bars along a river
Importance of EOs • NatureServe uses Element Occurrences to define meaningful conservation units (e.g., populations, ecological assemblage) • To insure valid aggregation and analyses of EOs, information must be accurate and consistent • Accomplished through the use of standards for collecting and managing EO data
Definition of an EO An Element Occurrence (EO) is an area of land and/or water in which a species or natural community is, or was present. An EO should have practical conservation value for the Element as evidenced by potential continued (or historical) presence and/or regular recurrence at a given location.
Complete EO Definition 2.1 Principal EOs 2.2 Sub-EOs 2.3 Feature Descriptors 2.4 Location Use Classes 2.5 Persistence & Practical Conservation Value 2.6 Captivity / Cultivation 2.7 Anthropogenic Habitat 2.8 Reintroduction / Restoration 2.9 Introduction / Exotics 2.10 Historical EOs 2.11 Extirpation 2.12 Recordation and Representation
Principal EO • Developed from observations • SPECIES: Habitat or area observed to be occupied • ECOLOGICAL ELEMENTS: Observed area that contains a characteristic species composition and structure • Defined according to EO specs • Can contain other EOs
But what if the principal EO is just a…? Indication whether the EO represents the full extent of area occupied by the Element at that location: CONFIDENCE EXTENT Y = Confident that EO represents the full extent N = Confident that EO does not represent the full extent ? = Uncertain whether EO represents the full extent
Sub-EO • Located within a principal EO • Optional • Represents an area within the principal EO defined for some purpose: • Specific behavior or life history function • Differing composition, density, or quality • Discrete area based on significant data • Non-biological division
Ursus americanus – Black Bear Example: Using Principal and Sub-EOs
Multi-jurisdictional EOs Management using principal and sub-EOs • Principal EO: • Use to represent entire extent • Record maintained by lead program • Sub-EOs: • Use to represent area within each jurisdiction • Records maintained by individual programs
Source Feature Descriptor • Label describing what the EO is (e.g., nest, east patch, 10/2006 survey) • Optional • Very useful for • Principal EOs that do not represent the full extent of the Element (Confidence Extent = N or ?) • Sub-EOs
Location Use Class • Label used for EOs of migratory animals that occupy disjunct locations by season • Required • Identifies EOs by season of use • Used to insure that locations utilized at different seasons are considered for conservation
breeding nonbreeding nesting area migratory stopover migratory corridor staging hibernaculum maternity colony bachelor colony freshwater estuarine marine adult foraging area juvenile foraging area calving area nursery area nonmigratory undetermined Recognized Classes
Source Feature Descriptor Location Use Class
Aimophila aestivalis – Bachman’s Sparrow Use of Location Use Class Labels
Purpose of EO Specifications Define and delineate valid EOs • Define what evidence constitutes valid EOs • SPECIES: Minimum size, quality, or persistence • ECOLOGICAL ELEMENTS: Minimum size • Delineate and differentiate EOs using: • Separation distances • Other factors (e.g., use of habitat, system characteristics)
EO Specifications • Used to define principal EOs • Specs can be developed for groups of Elements: • SPECIES: Taxonomically related and/or ecologically similar species • ECOLOGICAL ELEMENTS: Elements related through classification and/or common occurrence pattern characteristics
Basis for Separation Criteria • Dispersal distance • Home range • Spatial patterns of occurrence • Temporal patterns of occurrence
Animal EO Specs Record Different specs written for different location use classes
Plant EO Specs Record See Biotics Online Help file for documentation referenced in plant EO Specs record
Delineation of Species EOs • EOs are effectively separated by obstacles to movement or dispersal • ANIMALS: • Separation distance criteria provided for: • Unsuitable habitat • Suitable habitat not known to be occupied • Separate criteria are required for each location use class • PLANTS: Habitat-based delimitation guidance
Animal EO Definition/Delineation • Data meet criteria for a valid EO • Separation distance for intervening area applied • 2 principal EOs • Physical barrier acts as separation • 3 principal EOs
Habitat-based Plant EO Delimitation Guidance • Most plants utilize a decision tree based on habitat characteristics and distances between locations
Delineation of Ecological EOs • EOs are effectively separated by areas that limit expansion of component species, or alter the function of processes within the occurrence • Separation guidance based on the characteristics of intervening areas and distances between locations will be used for most ecological Element occurrences
Ecological Element Occurrence Delimitation Guidance (Currently under review)
EOs: Learning More Summary version of methodology: http://www.natureserve.org/prodServices/biotics/BioticsDoc/Documents/Prep_for_Biotics.PDF Full version of methodology:http://www.natureserve.org/prodServices/eodata.jsp EO Concepts presentations: http://www.natureserve.org/prodServices/biotics/biotics-learn-more.jsp Contact: jennifer_nichols@natureserve.org Listserves: http://lists.natureserve.org/mailman/listinfo