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National Resources Inventory Status – May 2007

Data Collection at RSLs

Catch up Strategy for Annual NRI

  • Each Remote Sensing Laboratory is employing double shifts of contractor staff until NRI data collection is back on schedule.
  • RSL data collection includes: scanning, image-to-image registration, geospatial location certification and recording of segment features, photo interpretation, and incorporation of state-collected local data.
  • NRCS is starting to realize the efficiencies and benefits that were expected when the (RSL) structure was created.

2005 Annual NRI

  • RSL data collection is 85 per cent complete, as of mid-May.
  • The expected completion date for data collection is July 2007; quality review activities will continue for at least one additional month.
  • Data collection is for 39,628 Core sample segments. New interpretations are being made for both 2004 and 2005; new geospatial data are being collected for 2003 to enable statistical calibration with historical data.

2006 Annual NRI

  • Current plans are that RSL data collection will start September 2007.
  • Data collection will include 30,642 Rotation sample segments and 39,628 Core segments for the lower 48 states; interpretations will be made for 2006 conditions for all 70,270 sample segments, and also for 2004 for the Rotation samples.

2007 Annual NRI

  • Current plans are that RSL data collection will occur Spring/Summer 2008.
  • Data collection will include 31,036 Rotation sample segments and 40,130 Core segments for the lower 48 states, Hawaii, and the Caribbean; data will also be collected for selected sample locations in Alaska. Interpretations will be made for both 2005 and 2007 conditions for the Rotation sample segments, and for 2007 for the Core samples.

On-Site Data Collection

2007 NRI Rangeland On-Site Data Collection

  • On-site data are being collected for 1,319 segments in 17 states for 2007.
  • States have been provided instructional materials, new QA/QC protocols, and high-resolution photo-based site maps (from their RSL).

Expectations for 2008 and Beyond

  • RIAD is working to define future NRI data needs that require on-site data collection, as part of a 5-year plan for NRI. Data requirements are being investigated for grazing lands, agricultural lands, wetlands, soil quality, etc. As protocols are developed and tested, they will be phased in over a two-to-three year period.

NRI Pastureland Pilot

  • Grazing lands specialists have developed a set of on-site protocols that are being proposed for NRI use. These protocols are being tested during 2007 in Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, and Pennsylvania.

Pilot study with USFS and BLM

  • NRCS, USFS, and BLM are conducting a pilot study in 13 central Oregon counties to investigate how the U.S. can develop a consistent rangeland assessment and monitoring strategy for all lands regardless of ownership. Data are being collected for both NRI and USFS-FIA sample locations, using a hybrid set of protocols. The Sustainable Rangelands Roundtable, Society of Range Management, Council of Environmental Quality, and numerous other entities are asking for a scientifically-credible process that will provide common reporting across private and public U.S. rangelands.

Local Data Collection [State Support of RSLs]

2005 Annual NRI

  • States have completed Local Data collection for 95 percent of the samples where this activity is required; this includes nearly 29,000 segments.

2006 Annual NRI

  • Local data collection for the 2006 Annual NRI will occur during the first four to six months of FY2008; none will occur before October 2007.
  • Each RSL is developing a strategy and plan for 2006 Annual NRI data collection. They will notify State Resources Inventory Coordinators (SRIC) in early summer of the state-by-state sequence they expect to follow, for state planning purposes. More specific timelines will be provided to states as the summer progresses.
  • The Local Data Survey Instrument (LDSI) used by state staff for local data collection has been updated to improve data collection efficiency. Major improvements in the software and process include:
  • Linkage to Common Land Unit (CLU) will be available [via a separate application], providing quicker access to necessary file records.
  • State staff will have access to additional years of imagery [through the LDSI] to assist in data collection activities; imagery for 2004, 2005, and 2006 will be provided for Core samples, and imagery for 2004 and 2006 will be provided for Rotation samples.
  • A "same as option" has been added for points located in the same fields. This can be used to reduce data entry time where the needed management information is exactly the same.
  • Historical data will be displayed (where available) to assist in local data collection. If conditions are unchanged from the last data collection period, some data can be copied forward to save data entry time.
  • The RSL will make interpretations for 2006 before states are asked to perform local data collection. This means states will only be sent segments and/or points that need local data collection.
  • The LDSI will provide more options for leaving notes, which will aid SRIC communication with the RSL.

Data Releases

Upcoming releases from 2003 Annual NRI

  • National, regional, and some state-level findings on dynamics of land use change (including developed land) will be released summer 2007.
  • Soil quality findings based on Soil Conditioning Index will be released Fall-Winter 2007.

Release of rangeland results

  • Some initial findings based upon on-site data collected 2003 through 2006 will be released Summer-Fall 2008.

Future release of Annual NRI Results

  • RIAD is developing a 5-year plan for the NRI program. This plan will identify goals and milestones for data release. This information will be shared with State Conservationists after the plan is more fully developed.
  • NRI estimates are released only when they meet statistical standards and are scientifically credible in accordance with NRCS policy and OMB and USDA Quality of Information Guidelines.
  • Many states are interested in having updated NRI data that can be used at the sub-state level, similar to the 1997 NRI data. This is a complex issue now that NRCS collects data on an annual basis rather than on a 5-year cycle. RIAD is working with the Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology at Iowa State University to develop statistical methods for constructing sub-state level data for the Annual NRI.

NRI-CEAP results

  • NRCS and its partners are making substantial progress in quantifying the effects of conservation practices through the Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP).
  • CEAP Science Notes, CEAP Conservation Insight briefs, and fact sheets are periodically posted to the CEAP Web site. CEAP Highlights is a quarterly update on CEAP activities that is provided in .pdf format on my.NRCS, under the Technology tab.
  • The product release schedule for 2008 – 2009 is currently under revision by RIAD. Updates will be posted to the CEAP web-site as plans are solidified.

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