NRI Rangeland Field Study-2004

1. NRI Rangeland Field Study-2004

2. Rangeland Inventory Note: Some slides have short video segments (not part of the this power point) that can be played in windows media player to supplement training. Download from the NRI Resource Center at: http://www.statlab.iastate.edu/nriResources/nri2004/Range_2004_CASI.html Videos are named by slide number.

3. Rangeland Inventory • Review of Basic CASI- (Computer Assisted Survey Instrument) Operations • Ideally works as simply as paper worksheet with embedded rules, logic and communication capabilities. • Appendix A, in the Handbook of Instructions

4. Rangeland Inventory PAPER STILL WORKS! • No embedded rules • Not as efficient (still have to enter data into CASI BUT…. Provides a record in case of unexpected problems. Goal: Make the CASI so good you will not need/want to use paper.

5. General Inventory Instructions Overview Appendix A • Equipment/software • Trimble Recon 200 (Pocket PC) • PC equipped with Microsoft ActiveSync and USB connection and dot.net framework • CASI • Garmin GPS Map76

6. General Inventory InstructionsCASI Operation- Setup Naming the Recon (For State NRI Leadership) Tap start Tap settings Select system Tap About Select device ID Erase Recon and replace with your two state letter abbreviation and a unique number. Example: For Colorado, CO01 Do this for each Recon unit assigned to the state. Video with sound

7. General Inventory InstructionsCASI Operation- Connecting Loading ActiveSync The NRI Rangeland CASI uses ActiveSync and a PC based communication program to upload and download PSUs • Get connected to a host PC via ActiveSync program and USB cable. • Host PC must have a live Internet Connection • Once connected, upload or download using the PC option, Range CASI Communications. .. Video with sound

8. General Inventory InstructionsCASI OperationAppendix A Installation Demo Video with sound

9. General Inventory InstructionsInstalled Products Upon completion of Install, a PC version of the CASI will also be available and may be useful for data review and entry data collected on paper worksheets. The PC version works exactly like the Recon (Pocket PC) version except for a few areas including: • Login is required. Check with your state NRI leader for an initial login and password • Menu and buttons appear at the top of the screen (not bottom) • All data entry screens can be shown at once. • The window used for adding plants to a custom plant list can be enlarged to the facilitate putting custom plant lists together.

10. General Inventory InstructionsCASI Operation- PSU Status PSU Status PSUs can be checked out as UC or NS PSUs can be returned as NS, UC or CO

11. General Inventory InstructionsCASI Operation- Receiving Demo Sending/Receiving PSUs Use the Rangeland CASI Communication option on the PC (left window Pocket PC, right window –Server) • Register Recon serial number the first time (one time operation). • Enter name for team leader (contact person for data). • Active sync connection along with PC Rangeland Communication option used for upload and download. Video with sound

12. General Inventory InstructionsOpening and Closing a PSU To open a PSU: Tap on the PSU ID displayed in the window. To Close a PSU: Tap on the close PSU button in the protocol selection screen. Video with sound

13. Statusbar PSU/Point Identifier Survey Questions Command line General Inventory InstructionsCASI OperationAppendix A General CASI Screen Description

14. General Inventory InstructionsCASI Operation Function Bar- Completion Check Status PSU completion status can be checked by tapping the DoChecks button from the protocol selection screen. To review error/warning status: • tap the Error/Warning button from the command menu bar. • next tap on the protocol you would like to review. • Any errors or warnings will then be listed Video with sound

15. General Inventory InstructionsCASI OperationAppendix A Modifying/deleting entered data All choice lists provide a clear option which is the last listed option. Entry cells which are not populated via choice list can be erased using keyboard and backspace or delete keys.

16. General Inventory InstructionsCASI OperationAppendix A Editable Choice Lists Editable choice lists allow data gatherers to customize some choice lists. Editable choice lists all offer the ‘Edit Choice list option’. Up to 10 unique items can be added. These can be modified as needed to meet local needs.

17. General Inventory InstructionsCASI OperationAppendix A Text Entry A Special text entry button is available in the few places where text entry is required. Tap in the text ...

18. General Inventory InstructionsCASI OperationAppendix A Number entry A special number pad is used for number entry. The entered number first appears in a preview box. To complete the entry tap ok cell.

19. General Inventory InstructionsCASI Operation Note Entry and Review To add, review or edit notes: Tap the tools button in the command bar.. Additional notes can be left for other protocols by selecting the correct point/protocol button. Rotate provides a side by side window look. Video with sound

20. General Inventory InstructionsErrors and Warnings-Display conventions Errors and Warnings are active and engage with any data entry. Tapping on Do Check from the protocol selection screen engages checking on a protocol basis. Video with sound

21. General Inventory InstructionsCASI Operation Returning a PSU as UC- Not complete PSUs can also be set to UC- Not complete To change the PSU status to UC: • Run ‘Do Check’ from the protocol selection screen • Select ‘return incomplete’ Collection status now changes to UC. PSU can now be returned to server Video with sound

22. General Inventory InstructionsCASI Operation Plant Data Base The Rangeland CASI Plant Data Base includes all plants in the NRCS Plants Data Base except : • Sub species, varietals, and hybrids and associated plant synonyms.

23. General Inventory InstructionsCASI Operation Plant Data Base The Plant Data base can be accessed from any of the three protocols which require plant name entry. These include: • Point Transect • Noxious/Invasive Plants • Species composition by weight

24. General Inventory InstructionsCASI Operation Plant Data Base Source Data Bases Custom Created Choice Lists Most Recent Plant Lists (MRPL) Custom CASI choice lists for point transect and plant production protocols Plant Data Base Source: NRCS Plants Data Base Total: 33,411+ 17,277 synonyms (50,688 Grand Total) Point transect Production State and Federal Noxious Weed list Federal Source: "Plant Protection and Quarantine. 1999. Federal Noxious Weed List. USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.“ State Source: Ken Spaeth Combined total 409 Plants Invasive/alien Noxious and Alien/Invasive Custom CASI choice lists for Noxious and Alien/Invasive plant protocol. State and Federal Noxious

25. General Inventory InstructionsCASI Operation Plant Data Base Adding Plants to the Most Frequently Used List This occurs automatically as you select plants in the three protocols that use plant names. • Plants can be selected from any plant list including custom lists you may create. • The number of plants that are displayed in this list can be adjusted in config. • The list takes two forms in point intercept, full name choice list or just plant symbol. Video with sound

26. General Inventory InstructionsCASI Operation Plant Data Base Adding Plants to a Custom list This can be done from any of the three protocols which use plant lists, all from the search screen This example assumes the custom list is already created. Video with sound

27. Rangeland InventoryPoint selection criteria • 2 sample points will be inventoried in each PSU • Sample was drawn based on 2002 land cover use classification of rangeland (Code = 250) • A few of these may have changed in 2003 based on the 2003 PI- fresh call for the field study. • The CASI assumes you will do point 1 and 2 (point 3 is grayed out). • If either point 1 or point 2 does not meet eligibility criteria (non federal and rangeland) point 3 will open.

28. Rangeland Inventory Determining sample point location Unable to obtain position • Refused access • Water • Inaccessible • Poor GPS signal* *Must still collect Rangeland field study protocol data. ...

29. Rangeland Inventory Location....Location.....Location ......LocationAnd Location Sample point target coordinates representing the location of PSU sample points are included in the CASI. PSU case files include high quality imagery and support maps which provide the official location of historical data collection. Always use the same location as identified for the 1997 and 2002 photo-interpretation inventories.

30. Rangeland Inventory For purposes of the Rangeland Field Study Navigation refers to the process of interpreting information to travel to the location of the NRI sample point. Option 1: Use the CASI and the integrated GPS technology (Garmin) as a guide to finding the sample point location. Option 2: In the event of heavy canopy or other technical difficulties use imagery in combination with land marks, and other distinct features on the land to navigate to the sample point location.

31. Rangeland Inventory • The CASI includes a GPS interface which will use the sample point target position to help you find the sample point location. • Using the GPS (Option 1) to locate the target position does not necessarily assure you are at the sample point location. Sometimes the GPS magic just doesn’t work very well. • Poor satellite configuration (affects the accuracy of readings) • Canopy cover • Error’s or inaccuracies in the original sample point target coordinates.

32. Rangeland Inventory Verify location before beginning data collection • Must be at the same location as where data were collected in 1997 and more recent NRIs (may be 2002 or 2003). • Before beginning data collection use all your resources to determine if you are at the right location. This includes: • Imagery • DRGs • Support maps (shows sample point location) • surrounding land use, vegetation, topography, soil, and landscape position, land marks etc. • If any disagreement move to the historical location.

33. Navigation Garmin and Recon Navigation requires: • Recon • Garmin GPSMap 76 • PC Interface cable (included with Garmin units)

34. Connections Standard 9 pin D connector to Recon Round end (4 pin) to back of Garmin

35. Rangeland Inventory Setting up the Garmin Datum type set to: NAD83 Interface set to: Garmin (Interface is communication protocol used by Garmin to communicate with the cabled device) Refer to chapter 3 of the Handbook of Instructions and Appendix B for detailed instructions on setting up the Garmin.

36. Rangeland InventoryNavigation with the Garmin To use the supplied point target coordinates and the Garmin GPS MAP 76 tap on the field position data entry cell and select Navigate. Other options are provided are also provided including: • Refused access • Water • Inaccessible • Poor GPS performance

37. Rangeland Inventory Target point coordinates are transferred from the CASI to the Garmin where they become waypoints. To navigate: • Open a connection to the Garmin by tapping on the open connection button. • Transfer coordinates by tapping on the Transfer target button. • Using the Garmin, navigate to the point (waypoint ie. labeled Point 1, Point 2 or Point 3) by pressing on the Garmin navigate button. • Select the correct waypoint and use the Garmin navigation screens to navigate to the point. • Evaluate the location and verify that you are at the same location as previous NRI data collection. • Tap capture location to transfer information to the CASI from the Garmin. • Tap OK to return to the location data entry screen. Video

38. Rangeland Inventory Example Sample point target position (point 2) using Garmin leads the team east of the stream. With review of the case file, it is obvious that is not where data have historically been collected. Move to the historical location. ...

39. Rangeland Inventory The end.